Radiography Tech Salary

Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Detroit, MI: $81,631 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in Detroit, MI earns a median $81,631/year (≈ $39.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in Detroit's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.3), that paycheck buys what $81,388 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Michigan state average.

$81,631
Median Annual Salary
$39.24/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$60,321
Entry Level (P10)
$106,785
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Detroit, MI — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Detroit, MI radiologic technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Detroit's radiologic technologists and technicians have an estimated median annual salary of $81,631 in 2026, reflecting a vibrancy in the local healthcare market driven in part by shift differentials and the city's designation as a trauma center. Compensation varies significantly, with a range from $60,321 at the 10th percentile to $106,785 at the 90th percentile, indicative of the diverse roles individuals play in this field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, project a competitive pay scenario influenced by high-demand specialties and the complexity of the work, setting the stage for growth opportunities in the region. As healthcare institutions in Detroit continue to evolve, this positive financial outlook is critical for attracting skilled technologists who can navigate the changing landscape of medical imaging.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$60,321$29.00
Lower Range (P25)$66,870$32.16
Median (P50)(typical)$81,631$39.24
Upper Range (P75)$90,455$43.48
Top Earners (P90)$106,785$51.34

Median Salary Position

$60,321$106,785
City Median: $81,631
National: $84,348
P10–P90 Range

3.22% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Detroit

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for radiologic technologist and technicians in Detroit. The median salary is $81,631, compared to the national median of $84,348.$54.3K$68.7K$83.2K$97.7K$112.1K$60.3K10th Pctl$66.9K25th Pctl$81.6KMedian$90.5K75th Pctl$106.8K90th PctlUS Median$84.3K

In Detroit, MI, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,464 (2026 est.). At $81,631, the local median is 3.22% below the national median of $84,348.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of radiologic technologist and technician pay in the Detroit metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,570
per week
$6,802
per month
$81,622
per year

At 40 hours/week in Detroit: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Detroit Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Detroit median: $81,631/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryDetroit Pays
Michigan Average$81,550+0.10% more
National Average$84,348-3.22% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing radiologic technologist and technician median salary in Detroit ($81,631) with Michigan average ($81,550) and the US national median ($84,348).Detroit$81,631Michigan Avg$81,550+0.10%US National$84,348-3.22%

Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Detroit, MI earn a median of $81,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.22% lower than the national median of $84,348 and 0.10% above the Michigan state average of $81,550.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$81,631
Nominal Salary
100.298
CoL Index
$81,388
Adjusted Salary

Detroit has a cost of living 0.30% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $81,631. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 100.298, the purchasing-power equivalent is $81,388, a loss of $243.$69.2K$76.1K$83.1K$90.0K$97.0K$81,631NominalSalary$81,388CoL Adjusted(CoL: 100.298) -0.30%US Median $84.3K

Detroit, MI has a cost-of-living index of 100.298 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,631 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,388 — a 0.3% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$59,100

2025 BLS Actual

$77,530

2026 Current Est.

$81,631

2019–2027 Growth

+45.4%

Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Detroit (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for radiologic technologists and technicians in Detroit. Baseline $59,100 in 2025, projected to $85,950 by 2027.$53.7K$63.1K$72.5K$81.9K$91.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$59.1K$60.8K$61.6K$64.3K$67.0K$69.5K$77.5K$81.6K$86.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$59,100Actual
2020$60,760Actual
2021$61,650Actual
2022$64,350Actual
2023$66,960Actual
2024$69,550Actual
2025$77,530Actual
2026(current)$81,631Estimated
2027$85,950Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Detroit metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 31.2% from $59,100 (2019) to $77,530 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,950 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,850 (45.43%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Detroit metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$60,321$66,870
3-5 years (Mid Career)$66,870$81,631
5+ years (Experienced)$81,631$90,455
10+ years (Top Earner)$90,455$106,785

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 Detroit

With around 3,150 radiologic technologists and technicians employed in the Detroit area, the local job market remains robust, allowing professionals to thrive amid a cost-of-living index of 100.298. This index signals a manageable economic climate for these workers, but it also emphasizes the importance of seeking higher-paying positions to maximize purchasing power. Top employers in the region include hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers, with opportunities for pay increases coming from modality cross-training in areas such as CT, MRI, and mammography. This enhances earning potential significantly, as does the availability of shift differentials and supervisory stipends. For those seeking to elevate their standing and salaries, actively pursuing advanced certifications through organizations like ARRT and positioning oneself in trauma centers could lead to more lucrative opportunities within the Detroit MI market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make in Detroit, MI in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median radiologic technologist and technician salary in Detroit is $81,631/year ($39.24/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.29% annual growth). Salaries range from $60,321 at entry level (10th percentile) to $106,785 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Detroit at 3.2% below the national median. Full-time radiologic technologists and technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Detroit, MI a good place to work as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Detroit radiologic technologist and technician salaries are 3.2% below the national average and 0.1% above the Michigan state average. The metro area employs approximately 3,150 radiologic technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 100.298, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can radiologic technologists and technicians make $100K in Detroit?

The median radiologic technologist and technician salary in Detroit is $81,631, and the 90th percentile earns $106,785. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted radiologic technologist and technician salary in Detroit?

After adjusting for Detroit's cost-of-living index of 100.298 (where 100 equals the national average), the $81,631 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $81,388 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Detroit reduce the effective value of your salary by 0.3% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a radiologic technologist and technician make per hour in Detroit?

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Detroit earn a median hourly rate of $39.24, which translates to approximately $81,631/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $29.00 for entry-level positions to $51.34 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem radiologic technologists and technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Marisol Patel, RT(R), BSData verified by Samuel Kim, RT(R)(CT), MHA

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 $77,530 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the Detroit 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

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