Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Ruston, LA: $63,731 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in Ruston, LA earns a median $63,731/year (≈ $30.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in Ruston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $70,577 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, radiologic technologists and technicians in Ruston, Louisiana, can expect a median annual salary of $63,731, significantly lower compared to the national figure of $84,348. Salary ranges for this profession locally span from $47,408 at the 10th percentile to $89,286 at the 90th percentile, providing a diverse economic framework for those seeking to enter this field. Employed locally primarily within hospital imaging departments and outpatient centers, salary levels are influenced by factors such as trauma center designations and available shift differentials, which can enhance overall compensation. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for individuals pursuing a career as a radiologic technologist and technician in Ruston, especially given the local market conditions drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,408 | $22.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,709 | $25.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,731 | $30.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,781 | $36.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,286 | $42.93 |
Median Salary Position
24.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ruston
In Ruston, LA, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,878 (2026 est.). At $63,731, the local median is 24.44% below the national median of $84,348.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ruston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ruston Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Ruston median: $63,731/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ruston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $66,248 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $84,348 | -24.44% less |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Ruston, LA earn a median of $63,731 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.44% lower than the national median of $84,348 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $66,248.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ruston has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ruston, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A radiologic technologist and technician earning $63,731 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,577 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$45,720
2025 BLS Actual
$60,529
2026 Current Est.
$63,731
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,218 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,467 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,101 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,529 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,731 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,102 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ruston metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 32.4% from $45,720 (2019) to $60,529 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,102 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,382 (46.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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) | $47,408 – $52,709 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,709 – $63,731 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,731 – $76,781 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,781 – $89,286 |
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 Ruston
Exploring the job market further, Ruston employs only four radiologic technologists and technicians, suggesting a competitive landscape where job seekers may face challenges in finding openings. The cost of living index in Ruston is relatively low at 90.3, which can help preserve purchasing power for those in the field. Employers such as hospital imaging departments and specialty practices tend to offer the highest pay among available options. This pay variance is often driven by factors like extra compensation for cross-training in other modalities, shift differentials, on-call opportunities, and the added responsibilities that may accompany supervisory roles. To maximize pay, aspiring radiologic technologists should consider pursuing certification extensions, engaging in cross-training, and seeking opportunities in higher-paying employers within the Ruston, LA market.
More salary data for Ruston, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make in Ruston, LA in 2026?
Is Ruston, LA a good place to work as a radiologic technologist and technician?
Can radiologic technologists and technicians make $100K in Ruston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted radiologic technologist and technician salary in Ruston?
How much does a radiologic technologist and technician make per hour in Ruston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 $60,529 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the Ruston 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
Salary data for Ruston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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