Radiologic Technologists
Take x rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's blood stream for diagnostic purposes. Includes technologists who specialize in other scanning modalities.
AI Impact Summary
Radiologic Technologists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 29/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 32% of all analyzed occupations. Of 23 analyzed tasks, 3 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Radiologic Technologists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
23 tasks analyzed
Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes.
Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.
Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.
Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
Position and immobilize patient on examining table.
Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories.
Key commands and data into computer to document and specify scan sequences, adjust transmitters and receivers, or photograph certain images.
Set up examination rooms, ensuring that all necessary equipment is ready.
Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.
Prepare and administer oral or injected contrast media to patients.
Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
Monitor video display of area being scanned and adjust density or contrast to improve picture quality.
Coordinate work with clerical personnel or other technologists.
Remove and process film.
Provide assistance in dressing or changing seriously ill, injured, or disabled patients.
Operate fluoroscope to aid physician to view and guide wire or catheter through blood vessels to area of interest.
Collaborate with other medical team members, such as physicians or nurses, to conduct angiography or special vascular procedures.
Measure thickness of section to be radiographed, using instruments similar to measuring tapes.
Assign duties to radiologic staff to maintain patient flows and achieve production goals.
Perform scheduled maintenance or minor emergency repairs on radiographic equipment.
Demonstrate new equipment, procedures, or techniques to staff and provide technical assistance.
Perform administrative duties, such as developing departmental operating budget, coordinating purchases of supplies or equipment, or preparing work schedules.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes. | 80Estimated | 59.0% | 7% | |
| Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 9% | |
| Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 5% | |
| Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 7% | |
| Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 7% | |
| Position and immobilize patient on examining table. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 8% | |
| Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 5% | |
| Key commands and data into computer to document and specify scan sequences, adjust transmitters and receivers, or photograph certain images. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 5% | |
| Set up examination rooms, ensuring that all necessary equipment is ready. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 4% | |
| Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Prepare and administer oral or injected contrast media to patients. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 4% | |
| Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports. | 40.28Observed | 65.3% | 5% | |
| Monitor video display of area being scanned and adjust density or contrast to improve picture quality. | 85Estimated | 61.0% | 5% | |
| Coordinate work with clerical personnel or other technologists. | 40Estimated | 31.0% | 3% | |
| Remove and process film. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 2% | |
| Provide assistance in dressing or changing seriously ill, injured, or disabled patients. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 3% | |
| Operate fluoroscope to aid physician to view and guide wire or catheter through blood vessels to area of interest. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Collaborate with other medical team members, such as physicians or nurses, to conduct angiography or special vascular procedures. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Measure thickness of section to be radiographed, using instruments similar to measuring tapes. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 2% | |
| Assign duties to radiologic staff to maintain patient flows and achieve production goals. | 50Estimated | 35.0% | 2% | |
| Perform scheduled maintenance or minor emergency repairs on radiographic equipment. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 2% | |
| Demonstrate new equipment, procedures, or techniques to staff and provide technical assistance. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 2% | |
| Perform administrative duties, such as developing departmental operating budget, coordinating purchases of supplies or equipment, or preparing work schedules. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 34.2%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$77,660
per year
Mean Wage
$79,760
per year
Employment
223K
workers
Wage Range
$52,360 - $106,990
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
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Alternate Career Paths
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Radiologic Technologists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Service Orientation
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change