How to Become a Radiology Technician in Colorado
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Becoming a radiology technician in Colorado, sometimes called an x-ray tech or radiologic technologist, takes about 2 to 3 years from your first prerequisite class to your first day on the job. The path has more steps than the phrase "get a degree" suggests: prerequisite coursework, an accredited program, a national exam, and state registration, each one leading directly into the next.
Once you are through it, the payoff is real. Radiologic technologists in Colorado earn a median of $87,760 a year, about $7,650 above the national median, for work that stays in steady demand across hospitals, imaging centers, and clinics statewide.
Radiologic Technology - Pueblo Community College
- Format: Hybrid
- Length: About 5 months
- Tuition: $19,700
- One of only two medical imaging bachelor's programs in Colorado
Associate's Degree in Radiologic Technology - Morgan Community College
Also available at the Limon and Wray Center campuses.
- Format: In-person
Dreambound lists these Colorado programs at no cost to you, so you can compare real options before committing to one. If speed and price matter most, compare the cheapest and fastest radiology technician programs before you decide.
Radiologic Technologist Salary in Colorado
Radiologic technologists in Colorado earn a median of $87,760 a year, or $42.19 an hour, about $7,650 above the national median of $80,110. Pay tends to run higher for technologists who specialize further, in CT, MRI, or mammography, and in larger hospital systems compared with smaller clinics.
Pay is not fixed once you are hired. Technologists who add a specialty credential, supervise a department, or move into equipment sales or clinical instruction routinely earn more than the entry-level median above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an x-ray tech the same as a radiology technician?
Yes. X-ray tech is the informal, on-the-job name for the same role formally called a radiology technician or radiologic technologist. All three terms describe someone certified through ARRT and, in Colorado, registered with the CDPHE.
How long does it take to become a radiology tech in Colorado?
About 2 to 3 years total: a semester or two of prerequisite coursework, then about 23 months for the accredited program itself, plus time to sit for the ARRT exam and complete CDPHE registration.
What is the quickest way to become a radiology tech?
There is no accredited shortcut around the program length itself, but you can shorten your overall timeline by finishing prerequisites on a schedule that keeps you eligible for the next application cycle, rather than waiting a full year between prerequisites and program start. See how program length breaks down to plan the fastest realistic timeline.
How much do radiology techs make in Colorado?
Radiologic technologists in Colorado earn a median of $87,760 a year, more at larger hospital systems or with an added specialty credential.
Is radiology harder than becoming an RN?
They are demanding in different ways rather than one being harder than the other. Radiography programs are shorter than a nursing degree, typically an associate degree versus a bachelor's-track program, but nursing covers a broader scope of patient care. For a fuller comparison, see Radiology Technician vs Registered Nurse.
Starting Your Radiology Technician Career in Colorado
Whether the job posting calls it x-ray tech, radiology technician, or radiologic technologist, the path in Colorado is the same: prerequisite coursework, an accredited program, the ARRT exam, and CDPHE registration. Colorado's above-average pay is the reward for a process that can look like a single "get a degree" step from the outside, but actually has several distinct stages.
If you are ready to start, the Colorado programs above on Dreambound are a good place to begin.
