Healthcare · SOC 29-2034
AI is already FDA-approved to detect fractures on X-rays, but patient positioning and equipment operation are irreducibly hands-on.
Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
Timeline: FDA-cleared AI detection tools for common fractures and pathologies will become routine within 3–5 years; technologists who handle complex positioning and multi-modality imaging will see the least disruption.
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$58,160 median pay
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Healthcare
AI job-risk card
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians is watch on AIFear. Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians is 40/100 (Watch). Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
40 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Reviewing X-ray images for quality and diagnostic suitability, Processing digital radiographs and keying scan parameters, Preparing contrast agents and recording treatment data, Maintaining patient records and preparing imaging reports. Harder to automate: Positioning patients safely for optimal imaging angles, Operating mobile X-ray equipment in emergency settings, Explaining procedures and monitoring patient safety, Adjusting exposure parameters in response to patient anatomy.
Lean into Cross-sectional imaging techniques, AI-assisted image review workflows, Radiation safety and dose optimization, Emergency and bedside radiography. Consider roles such as CT or MRI technologist or Interventional radiology technologist or Radiology clinical educator.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.