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:

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