Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Machines can already do 28% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 54%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 28% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 54% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 230,490 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $80,110 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 85% for contact with people.
- Also called: CT Tech (Computed Tomography Technologist), Mammographer, Multimodality Technologist, Radiographer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician | 11% | 18% to 51% | |
| Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination | 8% | 27% to 64% | |
| Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan | 7% | 36% to 66% | |
| Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes | 7% | 63% to 81% | |
| Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes | 7% | 18% to 51% | |
| Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards | 7% | 3% to 25% | |
| Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods | 4% | 36% to 68% | |
| Perform procedures, such as linear tomography, mammography, sonograms, joint and cyst aspirations, routine contrast studies, routine fluoroscopy, or examinations of the head, trunk, or extremities under supervision of physician | 4% | 3% to 25% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills radiologic technologists and technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Paramedics39% of tasks by 2035 · US median $60,600
- Nurse Anesthetists36% of tasks by 2035 · US median $236,590
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $80,250
- Occupational Therapy Aides49% of tasks by 2035 · US median $39,160
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Radiologic Technologists and Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of radiologic technologists and technicians?
Machines can do 28% of the tasks of radiologic technologists and technicians today and 54% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-2034.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/radiologic-technologists-and-technicians/