Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Washington, DC: $102,542 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in Washington, DC earns a median $102,542/year (≈ $49.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in Washington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.9), that paycheck buys what $94,175 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the District of Columbia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Radiologic technologists and technicians in Washington, DC, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $102,542 in 2026, reflecting a significant premium over the national median of $84,348. This robust salary range spans from $74,566 at the 10th percentile to $130,770 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive local job market for those in the field. These figures are derived from the latest analysis based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected into 2026. For professionals looking to enhance their earnings, obtaining additional credentials in advanced modalities like CT and MRI can lead to substantial pay increases, positioning them at the higher end of the salary spectrum. Washington’s healthcare landscape favors technologists and technicians seeking cross-training opportunities to maximize their potential income and job security.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,566 | $35.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,454 | $41.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,542 | $49.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,313 | $53.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,770 | $62.87 |
Median Salary Position
21.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, DC, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,204 (2026 est.). At $102,542, the local median is 21.57% above the national median of $84,348.
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At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be above the median
How Washington Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Washington median: $102,542/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Average | $98,693 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $84,348 | +21.57% more |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Washington, DC earn a median of $102,542 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.57% higher than the national median of $84,348 and 3.90% above the District of Columbia state average of $98,693.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 8.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 108.884 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,542 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,175 — a 8.16% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,330
2025 BLS Actual
$97,390
2026 Current Est.
$102,542
2019–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,542 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,966 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 32.8% from $73,330 (2019) to $97,390 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,966 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,636 (47.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.29% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $74,566 – $86,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,454 – $102,542 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,542 – $111,313 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,313 – $130,770 |
RT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologic technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Job Market in Washington
The local job market for radiologic technologists and technicians is solid, with around 3,170 individuals employed in this profession across Washington, DC. However, the cost of living in the area, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 108.884, poses challenges for potential savings. This premium index suggests that while salaries are higher than the national average, the expenses associated with living in Washington can stretch purchasing power. Among various employers, hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers tend to offer the highest compensation, particularly for those with specialized training and experience. The variations in pay are influenced by factors such as cross-training efficiency, shift differentials, and the ability to work in trauma centers or take on lead roles. For technologists aiming to maximize their pay, pursuing cross-training in modalities like mammography or taking on travel assignments can be particularly beneficial in the competitive Washington market.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM)
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in radiologic technology. They specialize in mammography and work in an outpatient imaging center.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $97,390 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the Washington metropolitan area. A 5.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.29%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for radiologic technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2034).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM), a licensed radiologic technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov