Radiologic Technologist Education in Florida – Schools, Programs and Career Options

Florida employs more radiologic technologists than all but a handful of states, with 16,470 working across the state as of the BLS May 2025 OEWS data release. That number reflects a healthcare system built around one of the oldest and fastest-growing populations in the country. The practical consequence for anyone training here is straightforward: clinical sites are plentiful, hiring is consistent, and the 40 JRCERT-accredited radiography programs spread across the state give applicants genuine choice about location, cost, and program format. (Leer esta información en español)

Practitioners in Florida can also expect to draw a higher than average annual salary for this field. This state is a great place to explore a radiologic science career.

Florida Radiologic Technologist Salaries: BLS Data with Cost-of-Living Context

According to BLS May 2025 OEWS data, the median annual wage for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2034) in Florida is $76,750, with a mean of $74,760. The full earnings distribution looks like this:

• 10th percentile: $51,390
• 25th percentile: $62,080
• Median (50th percentile): $76,750
• 75th percentile: $82,650
• 90th percentile: $99,020

That median sits meaningfully above what entry-level technologists earn in many interior Florida markets, where housing costs run lower than in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach counties. A technologist earning $76,750 in Ocala or Panama City carries considerably more purchasing power than one earning the same figure in Miami, where a one-bedroom apartment can cost $2,000 or more per month. If cost of living factors into your program decision, that geographic spread matters.

Career Progression: What Specialization Pays

Radiography is a starting point for several higher-earning specializations. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (SOC 29-2035) in Florida earn a median of $84,330 and a mean of $86,110, according to the same BLS May 2025 OEWS data. The 90th percentile for MRI techs reaches $102,610. Entry-level MRI positions typically require ARRT certification in radiography plus a separate MRI credential, which means the associate degree or certificate you earn from one of the programs below is the foundation for that progression.

Licensing Requirements For Florida Radiologic Technologists

Florida requires radiologic technologists to hold a state license issued by the Florida Department of Health under Chapter 468, Part IV, Florida Statutes. All practicing radiologic professionals in Florida must pass either the state exam for their imaging field or the appropriate national exam. For radiologist assistants, radiologic technologists, radiation therapists, and fusion imagers, the exam is administered by the ARRT.

The nuclear medicine exam is administered by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB).

In Florida, there is no minimum education requirement in order to sit for the Basic X-ray Machine Operator exam and become licensed in that limited field.

• Graduation from an accredited program: JRCERT accreditation satisfies this requirement. All programs listed on this page qualify.
• ARRT certification: Passing the ARRT radiography examination is a condition of licensure in Florida. You apply for the exam through ARRT and for the state license through the Florida Department of Health.
• Application and fee: Submit the licensure application to the Florida Department of Health, Board of Radiologic Technology, along with official transcripts, ARRT exam scores, and the applicable fee.
• Continuing education: Florida licensed radiologic technologists must complete continuing education for license renewal.
• Limited License: Florida also issues a separate limited radiography license for technologists who operate specific equipment only (chest, extremity, or spine). This is a lower-tier credential that does not substitute for full licensure.

Because Florida requires state licensure on top of ARRT certification, programs in this state are structured to prepare graduates for both. When reviewing any program, confirm that its ARRT first-time pass rates are publicly reported and ask the program director what percentage of graduates complete the licensing process within 12 months of graduation.

Large Employers in Radiology

Florida is a popular retirement destination, which helped to ensure that there is a large number of quality hospitals and medical centers throughout the state. These institutions are the largest employers of radiologic science professionals in the state.

Professional Organizations

The Florida Society of Radiologic Technologists (FSRT) is the state affiliate of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) is the primary accreditation body for radiologic technology programs in the United States.

The FSRT’s Continuing Education Program provides continuing education credits to help ensure that members maintain their certification and stay abreast of new developments and techniques within their field.

What to Look for in a Florida Radiography Program

With 40 accredited options available, the choice can feel overwhelming. A few factors matter more than others in this state specifically.

Accreditation Status

JRCERT accreditation is non-negotiable for Florida licensure. Beyond that, pay attention to accreditation length. Programs with full 8-year awards have demonstrated sustained compliance with JRCERT standards. Programs currently on probation, such as Bethesda College of Health Sciences, Keiser University/Lakeland Campus, and Pensacola State College at the time of this data, are still accredited and graduates can still sit for the ARRT exam, but probationary status indicates the program is working to resolve specific deficiencies. Ask those programs directly what the deficiency is and what the remediation timeline looks like.

ARRT First-Time Pass Rates

Pass rates vary considerably across Florida programs, from a low of 58% at Keiser University/Lakeland to a high of 100% at Daytona State College and several others. The ARRT national first-attempt pass rate for radiography typically hovers around 85-90%, so programs below that threshold warrant scrutiny. A low pass rate does not necessarily mean poor teaching; small cohorts can skew numbers significantly. Still, ask the program how it prepares students specifically for the ARRT exam and what resources it offers students who do not pass on the first attempt.

Clinical Site Diversity

Florida’s clinical landscape includes major trauma centers, VA medical centers, children’s hospitals, orthopedic specialty practices, and outpatient imaging chains. Programs with broader clinical networks expose students to more equipment types and patient populations. Review the clinical settings listed for each program and look for a mix of hospital and outpatient settings rather than dependence on a single health system.

Tuition and Return on Investment

Florida program tuition ranges from roughly $2,500 at UF Health Jacksonville to $76,588 at Keiser University/Tallahassee. That 30-fold gap is not random. Hospital-based and public college programs tend to cost far less than private university programs. Given that the median Florida radiologic technologist earns $76,750, a student who graduates with $70,000 in debt from a private program faces a very different financial situation than one who graduates with $4,000 in debt from a community college. Run the numbers before you commit.

Program Length and Clinical Hours

Most Florida programs run 20 to 24 months. Several Keiser University campuses complete in 16 months, which is faster but also means compressed scheduling. JRCERT requires a minimum of 1,800 clinical hours for radiography programs; Florida programs vary in how those hours are distributed across semesters and clinical sites. Ask each program how many clinical hours students complete and what percentage of clinical time is spent in general radiography versus specialty rotations.

Distance Education Components

AdventHealth University, Rasmussen University (Fort Myers and Ocala campuses), and St. Petersburg College offer distance education or part-time formats that can work for students managing employment or family obligations. Distance education in radiography never means fully online: clinical rotations require in-person attendance. What varies is how much didactic coursework can be completed remotely.

JRCERT-Accredited Radiography Programs in Florida: Full Comparison Table

The table below includes all 40 JRCERT-accredited radiography programs in Florida with available data from JRCERT. Where a figure is not reported by JRCERT, the cell shows N/R.