Radiology Technician vs Respiratory Therapist

By Athena KanUpdated Aug 5, 2026

Radiology technician positioning a patient for a chest X-ray beside a respiratory therapist assisting a patient with a non-invasive ventilation mask.

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Radiology technicians and respiratory therapists both work in hospitals, but they do very different jobs: a radiology technician captures diagnostic images like X-rays and CT scans, while a respiratory therapist treats patients who have breathing and cardiopulmonary problems. Respiratory therapy is the faster-growing field, projected to grow 12% through 2034 compared with 4% for radiology technology, and it pays slightly more, a median of $82,280 a year versus $80,110, according to May 2025 BLS data. Radiology technicians spend brief, procedure-focused time with each patient, while respiratory therapists provide repeated treatment and monitoring, often in critical care. Both start with about a two-year associate degree and a national credential. The right choice comes down to whether you want technical imaging work or hands-on therapeutic care.

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Key Points

A radiology technician operates diagnostic imaging equipment such as X-rays and CT scanners, while a respiratory therapist treats patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary conditions.
Respiratory therapists earn a median of $82,280 a year, slightly more than the $80,110 median for radiology technicians, based on May 2025 BLS data.
Respiratory therapy is projected to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034, well above the 4% projected for radiology technology.
Radiology technicians usually have brief, procedure-focused patient contact; respiratory therapists provide more repeated, treatment-focused care, often in critical care.
Both usually start with an associate degree and a national credential: ARRT for radiology technicians, and the NBRC CRT or RRT for respiratory therapists.

Radiology Technician vs. Respiratory Therapist at a Glance

The two roles differ most in day-to-day work, patient contact, and how fast each field is growing. Respiratory therapy leads on pay and outlook, while radiology technology is the more technical role with briefer patient contact.

Feature	Radiology Technician	Respiratory Therapist
Median salary (May 2025)	$80,110	$82,280
Job growth 2024-34	4%	12%
Typical education	Associate degree	Associate degree
Credential	ARRT (R.T.(R))	NBRC CRT or RRT
Primary setting	Imaging departments, hospitals	Hospitals, ICUs, emergency care
Patient interaction	Usually brief, procedure-focused	Often repeated, treatment-focused

What a Radiology Technician Does

A radiology technician, also called a radiologic technologist, operates imaging equipment to produce X-rays and related diagnostic images that physicians use to diagnose injuries and disease. The work is technical and patient-facing, often with patients who are injured, in pain, or receiving emergency imaging.

Position patients and adjust equipment for X-ray and CT exams.
Follow radiation safety procedures to protect patients and staff.
Work with radiologists to confirm images are clear enough to read.
Keep accurate patient records and maintain imaging equipment.

About 60% of radiologic technologists work in hospitals, with the rest in imaging centers and physician offices.

What a Respiratory Therapist Does

A respiratory therapist treats patients who have trouble breathing, from premature infants with underdeveloped lungs to adults with asthma, COPD, or cardiopulmonary emergencies. The role is hands-on and often plays out in high-stakes settings.

Assess patients and set up treatments such as oxygen therapy and aerosol medications.
Manage ventilators and life support for critically ill patients.
Respond to respiratory emergencies alongside the care team.
Teach patients and families how to manage chronic conditions.

About 80% of respiratory therapists work in hospitals, including intensive care and emergency departments, often providing repeated treatment and monitoring across a shift.

Training and Certification

Both careers commonly begin with associate-level education and national credentialing, though exact certification and licensing requirements vary by state and occupation.

Radiology Technician Training

Most radiologic technologists complete an associate-degree radiography program. JRCERT accreditation is one widely recognized pathway, though the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) also accepts programs approved through other recognized accreditation. Graduates sit for the ARRT exam to earn the R.T.(R) credential. More than three-quarters of states have licensing laws covering some form of radiologic technology; many use ARRT certification or exam results, but requirements vary by state.

Respiratory Therapist Training

Respiratory therapists complete a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), most often a two-year associate degree. Graduates take National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) examinations to earn the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) or the advanced Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Respiratory therapists must be licensed in every state except Alaska, and bachelor's programs are available for those who want to advance.

Salary and Job Outlook

Radiology technicians earn a median of $80,110 a year, according to May 2025 BLS data, in a field that is steady rather than fast-growing. BLS projects 4% growth through 2034, about the average for all occupations. Much of that hiring replaces technologists who retire or move into other roles, and imaging stays central to diagnosing injuries, cancer, and chronic disease, so openings hold up even without rapid expansion.

Respiratory therapists earn slightly more, a median of $82,280, and their field is expanding quickly. BLS projects 12% growth through 2034, well above average, as an aging population and rising rates of COPD and other chronic lung conditions increase the need for breathing care. Emergency and intensive-care work adds steady demand on top of that.

The pay sits within about $2,200 at the median, so money is unlikely to be the deciding factor. What differs is the trajectory: radiology technology offers established, dependable demand, while respiratory therapy carries the stronger long-term growth. Compare radiology technician and respiratory therapy programs on Dreambound to weigh similar pay against very different growth.

Which Career Is the Right Fit for You

Your decision comes down to the kind of work you want and how you want to spend time with patients.

Choose radiology technology if:

You are drawn to imaging technology and precise, technical work.
You prefer briefer, procedure-based patient contact.
You want to work in an imaging-focused department.

Choose respiratory therapy if:

You want direct, repeated, hands-on patient care.
You do well in fast-paced critical-care and emergency settings.
The stronger job-growth outlook matters to you.

Programs on Dreambound

Dreambound lets you line up training programs from different schools and compare them by format, length, and credential. The listings below are examples available through the platform, and more programs exist by location and format.

Radiology Technician Programs

Radiology Technician Training - CCI Training Center, Arlington TX

Format: Online
Length: 8 months
Includes four months of clinical rotations at local medical facilities
Prepares graduates for roles such as limited radiology technician, clinical assistant, or patient care technician

Medical Radiography Associate's - ECPI University, Manassas VA

Format: Hybrid
Length: 18 months
Accredited by JRCERT

Associate of Science in Medical Radiography - MCI, Newport News VA

Format: Hybrid
Prepares for the ARRT R.T.(R) certification

Respiratory Therapy Programs

Dreambound's featured respiratory therapy program is a bachelor's completion for people who already hold a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, not an entry-level route. If you are just starting out, you would first complete a CoARC-accredited entry program and earn the CRT or RRT. You can compare respiratory therapy programs on Dreambound to see current options.

B.S. in Respiratory Therapy (RRT to BSRT) - Liberty University

Format: Online
Built for current Registered Respiratory Therapists earning a bachelor's degree, not an entry-level program
Most courses run in an 8-week format
Holds provisional CoARC accreditation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is harder, respiratory therapy or radiology tech?

Neither is objectively harder; they demand different strengths. Respiratory therapy involves more emotionally intense, hands-on work in critical care and emergencies, while radiology technology leans on technical precision, anatomy, and radiation physics to capture clear images. The better fit depends on whether you prefer patient-side treatment or diagnostic technology.

Can a radiology tech become a respiratory therapist?

Yes, but it takes separate training. The two roles use different accredited programs and national exams, so a radiology tech would complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program and pass the NBRC exams. Some general-education credits may transfer and shorten the path.

Do radiology techs and respiratory therapists both need a state license?

Respiratory therapists must be licensed in every state except Alaska. For radiology technicians, more than three-quarters of states have licensing laws, and many rely on ARRT certification or exam results, though requirements vary. Check the board in the state where you plan to work.

What pays more, a radiology tech or a radiation therapist?

Radiation therapists generally earn a higher median wage than radiology technicians nationally, though radiation therapy is a separate career with its own training and credential. It is a different path from both radiology technology and respiratory therapy, so weigh its education requirements before deciding.

Choosing Between Imaging and Respiratory Care

The clearest split between these two careers is the kind of work and the growth ahead of it. Respiratory therapy offers the stronger outlook and more sustained, hands-on patient care in high-stakes settings, while radiology technology centers on diagnostic imaging with briefer patient contact and a highly technical focus.

Both are stable healthcare paths built on a two-year associate degree. Compare radiology technician and respiratory therapy programs on Dreambound by format, length, and credential to see which one fits the work you want to do.