Alabama – Schools, Programs, and Career Options
This is a good time to explore a career as a radiologic technologist in Alabama. Nationally, the number of jobs is expected to grow over the foreseeable future, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and in Alabama, the number of radiology technologists in Alabama is predicted to grow by about 7% by 2030.
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How much can you earn?
In Alabama, the average annual salary is $53,380, with the lowest 10% earning $38,590 or less and the highest 10% earning $76,670 or more. Nationally, the average salary is $73,410, with the lowest 10% earning $50,020 or less and the highest 10% earning $102,380 or more. Regional data within Alabama show variations in wages across different metropolitan areas.
National vs. Local Salaries
Location | Average Salary | 10% Earn Less Than | 10% Earn More Than |
---|---|---|---|
United States | $73,410 | $50,020 | $102,380 |
Alabama | $53,380 | $38,590 | $76,670 |
Salaries and Percentiles by Region
Region | 10% Earn Less Than | 25% Earn Less Than | Median Salary | 75% Earn More Than | 10% Earn More Than |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | $50,020 | $60,690 | $73,410 | $84,670 | $102,380 |
Alabama | $38,590 | $47,800 | $53,380 | $65,070 | $76,670 |
Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL | $35,380 | $46,180 | $52,730 | $58,140 | $66,520 |
Auburn-Opelika, AL | $35,240 | $40,180 | $49,480 | $62,010 | $62,010 |
Birmingham-Hoover, AL | $43,340 | $48,940 | $58,660 | $67,990 | $78,500 |
Columbus, GA-AL | $45,700 | $53,890 | $58,840 | $67,230 | $78,710 |
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $47,020 | $49,750 | $65,070 | $70,390 | $79,920 |
Decatur, AL | $40,350 | $47,930 | $48,450 | $63,320 | $65,930 |
Dothan, AL | $37,530 | $39,360 | $48,520 | $61,840 | $64,180 |
Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $34,940 | $43,990 | $47,800 | $62,500 | $64,580 |
Gadsden, AL | $35,360 | $41,610 | $45,970 | $55,450 | $65,690 |
Huntsville, AL | $27,360 | $43,420 | $58,220 | $66,250 | $80,250 |
Mobile, AL | $38,780 | $50,550 | $55,680 | $67,330 | $76,180 |
Montgomery, AL | $39,510 | $48,710 | $59,760 | $67,500 | $79,060 |
Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $38,500 | $46,570 | $50,440 | $61,490 | $72,640 |
Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $41,210 | $47,840 | $53,150 | $66,040 | $67,370 |
Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $36,390 | $42,310 | $47,720 | $61,110 | $67,230 |
Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $41,000 | $48,580 | $52,580 | $59,200 | $63,720 |
Tuscaloosa, AL | $39,320 | $46,740 | $49,510 | $63,420 | $74,590 |
Radiologic technologist Trends in Alabama
In Alabama, there were 3,700 employees in 2020, projected to grow to 3,960 by 2030, representing a 7% increase, with 300 annual job openings. Nationally, there were 222,800 employees in 2022, projected to grow to 235,000 by 2032, a 6% increase, with 13,100 annual job openings.
Employment Trends
Location | Year | Employment | Projected Employment | Growth | Annual Job Openings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | 2020 | 3,700 | 3,960 | 7% | 300 |
United States | 2022 | 222,800 | 235,000 | 6% | 13,100 |
Source of the data:
- Alabama: data for wages here and for employment trends here.
- U.S data: Bureau of Labour Statistics
What are the professional requirements in Alabama?
The only universal requirement to practice as a radiologic technologist in Alabama is certification through the state Radiation Control Program. This certification is valid for five years. Different employers around the state of Alabama may require additional training or certification for the positions they advertise.
Radiologic technologists who trained in other states should be able to easily certify upon moving to Alabama, but there may be additional hurdles for x-ray technologists who trained in Alabama but hope to work in a different state.
Radiologic Technology Schools in Alabama
The University of Southern Alabama: The Department of Radiologic Sciences at the University of Southern Alabama offers a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences designed for students who want to become Medical Imaging Professionals. The degree program offers students the opportunity to study CT, MRI, Vascular Radiography, Mammography, Ultrasound, Radiation Therapy, or Radiology Administration.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham: The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Health Professions offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology that is designed to lead to professional certification. A master’s degree is the minimum education required to work as a radiologist assistant.
Other Schools to Consider
Other schools around Alabama offer an associate’s Degree in Radiology Technology. These programs take an average of two years and qualify graduates to work in certain radiology positions.
Motivated students should consider the on-site radiologic technology programs at the Huntsville Hospital or the Crestwood Medical Center in Huntsville. These programs are accredited through the Joint Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and offer intensive, hands-on learning in a working hospital environment.
Jefferson State Community College is also a great choice because of its proximity to UAB, to which students who complete an associate’s degree may want to transfer to pursue a BS.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in Alabama, you might want to consider the many alternatives around Atlanta, Georgia. There are few options in northeast Florida, and the nearest significant offerings in that state are in Jacksonville. Options in Mississippi are largely limited to community colleges, with the exception of the University of Mississippi Medical Center program in Jackson. Many more programs, including various hospital programs, are available in Tennessee.
Large Employers in Radiology
The largest employers of radiologic technologists are hospitals and large medical centers. Individuals with degrees in radiologic technology may want to look to these and other large hospitals in Alabama for employment.
University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital, Birmingham
1802 6th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
(205) 934-4011
Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville
101 Sivley Road
Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 265-1000
Baptist Medical Center East, Montgomery
400 Taylor Road
Montgomery, AL 36117-3512
(334) 277-8330
University of South Alabama Medical Center, Mobile
2451 Fillingim Street
Mobile, AL 36617-2293
(251) 471-7000
DCH Regional Medical Center, Tuscaloosa
809 University Boulevard East
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401-9961
(205) 759-7111
Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center, Anniston
400 East Tenth Street
Anniston, AL 36207-4716
(256) 235-5121
Professional Organizations
There are resources available to radiologic technologists in Alabama who require professional support. The leading professional organization is the Alabama Society of Radiologic Technologists (ALSRT), which is an affiliate of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). Current or prospective radiologists should also contact the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) for certification information.
JRCERT Accredited Radiography Programs in Alabama
Crestwood Medical Center – Radiography
One Hospital Drive, S.E., Huntsville AL 35801
Tel: (256) 429-5634
Program Name: Radiology
Program Type: Certificate
Duration: 16 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 100% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 93% Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $2,500 Resident, $2,500 Non-resident
DCH Regional Medical Center – Radiography
809 University Blvd., East, Tuscaloosa AL 35401
Tel: (205) 759-6009
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 40 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 94% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 99% Job Placement Rate: 97%
Tuition Fees: $5,200 Resident, $5,200 Non-resident
Gadsden State Community College – Radiography
1001 George Wallace Drive, Gadsden AL 35903
Tel: (256) 549-8469
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 48 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 86% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 96% Job Placement Rate: 97%
Tuition Fees: $5,888 Resident, $10,902 Non-resident
George C. Wallace Community College – Radiography
1141 Wallace Drive, Dothan AL 36303
Tel: (334) 556-2299
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 55 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 80% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 78% Job Placement Rate: 94%
Tuition Fees: $5,005 Resident, $9,279 Non-resident
H. Councill Trenholm State Community College – Radiography
1225 Air Base Blvd., Montgomery AL 36108
Tel: (334) 420-4342
Program Name: Medical Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate in Applied Technology
Duration: 57 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 72.4% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 62.2% Job Placement Rate: 86.3%
Tuition Fees: $5,206 Resident, $10,412 Non-resident
Huntsville Hospital – Radiography
101 Sivley Road, Huntsville AL 35801
Tel: (256) 265-8928
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Occupational Technology
Duration: 30 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 62% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 94% Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $2,200 Resident, $2,200 Non-resident
Jefferson State Community College – Radiography
4600 Valleydale Road, Birmingham AL 35242
Tel: (205) 983-5218
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 80 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 63% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 97% Job Placement Rate: 98%
Tuition Fees: $10,650 Resident, $18,975 Non-resident
Southern Union State Community College – Radiography
1701 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika AL 36801
Tel: (334) 745-6437
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 66 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 93% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 84% Job Placement Rate: 85%
Tuition Fees: $5,150 Resident, $12,236 Non-resident
University of South Alabama – Radiation Therapy
Department of Radiologic Sciences, Mobile AL 36688-0002
Tel: (251) 445-9355
Program Name: Radiation Therapy
Program Type: Certificate (Post-Baccalaureate)
Duration: 12 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 83% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 96.7% Job Placement Rate: 95.7%
Tuition Fees: $12,936 for Residents, $25,872 for Non-residents
University of South Alabama – Radiography
Department of Radiologic Sciences, Mobile AL 36688
Tel: (251) 445-9351
Program Name: Radiologic Sciences
Program Type: Bachelor of Science
Duration: 98 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 79.5% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 91.2% Job Placement Rate: 86.7%
Tuition Fees: $10,336 Resident, $22,000 Non-resident
Wallace State Community College – Radiography
801 Main Street, Hanceville AL 35077
Tel: (256) 352-8309
Program Name: Diagnostic Imaging
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 83 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 76% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 95% Job Placement Rate: 94%
Tuition Fees: $3,616 Resident, $14,560 Non-resident