An Introduction to Radiologic Technology Training in South Carolina
Like the rest of the US, the state of South Carolina is experiencing rapid growth of healthcare professions, including radiological technology, in response to the increasing medical needs of the national population. (Leer esta información en español)
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this state is currently home to 3,600 working radiology professionals, and that number is estimated to increase significantly in the next decade, leading to competitive salaries and more employment opportunities.
For South Carolina residents, now is an ideal time to be considering a career in radiological technology.
Prerequisite Courses for Radiology Tech Training
Before beginning a radiologic technology program, prospective students must become familiar with the various prerequisites that are required for each program. Most programs require a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one introductory course in algebra as well as any other courses related to anatomy, physiology, and biological science. Additionally, some schools may also require two years of health science experience before starting a radiologic technology program.
Responsibilities of Radiologic Technologist
Radiologic technologists are healthcare professionals who use imaging equipment to diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions. As such, they must possess both technical skills and people skills to be successful in their field. Radiologic technologists must be able to operate and maintain the various types of imaging equipment, as well as have excellent communication skills to interact with patients and medical staff. Additionally, radiological technology professionals must be able to understand the anatomy of the body and recognize any abnormalities within a scan.
Radiology Requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina is home to several accredited radiologic technology programs that provide students with an extensive education in the field.
South Carolina currently mandates that all radiological technology professionals carry a state-issued license.
Here, licenses last for a 2-year term and must be renewed every time the term expires. In addition, every licensed radiologic technologist is required to complete mandatory continuing education, with most specific radiology professions requiring 24 hours of classes for every 2-year term (though some may only require 12 hours or less). South Carolina radiology professionals have two choices to fulfill their licensing requirements: they can complete the state’s certification exam, or, like 36 other US states allow, take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam.
Radiologic Technology Schools in South Carolina
There are currently 12 radiography programs in the state of South Carolina that are endorsed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). These programs offer a Certificate and an Associate of Applied Science degree and are held at both public and private institutions. Many of these, such as AnMed Health Medical Center, offers collaboration programs with other colleges, providing aspiring radiology professionals with supervised instruction in a clinical setting.
Aiken Technical College, Graniteville
AnMed Health Medical Center, Anderson
Florence-Darlington Technical College, Florence
Greenville Technical College, Greenville
Horry-Georgetown Technical College, Myrtle Beach
Midlands Technical College, Columbia
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, Orangeburg
Piedmont Technical College, Greenwood
Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg
Technical College of the Lowcountry, Beaufort
Trident Technical College, Charleston
York Technical College, Rock Hill
Other Schools to Consider Radiologic Technology Program
If you’re prepared to travel, you’ll find more options in Tallahassee, Atlanta, and Charlotte.
Large Employers in Radiology
South Carolina is home to about 90 hospitals, along with many smaller medical facilities, such as urgent care and family practice centers. The majority of radiologic technologists in South Carolina are employed by the state’s large hospitals, but many are also hired by local clinics, which employ in the state’s small towns and rural areas. Some of South Carolina’s most popular and highest-ranking hospitals are listed below:
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
169 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29425
(843) 792-2300
Greenville Memorial Hospital, Greenville
701 Grove Road
Greenville, SC 29605-4295
(864) 455-7000
Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, Spartanburg
101 East Wood Street
Spartanburg, SC 29303-3016
(864) 560-6000
Bon Secours-St. Francis Hospital, Charleston
2095 Henry Tecklenburg Drive
Charleston, SC 29414-0001
(843) 402-1000
McLeod Health, Florence
555 East Cheves Street
Florence, SC 29502-2617
(843) 777-2000
AnMed Health, Greenville, Anderson
800 North Fant Street
Anderson, SC 29621-5793
(864) 512-1000
Lexington Medical Center
2720 Sunset Boulevard
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 791-2000
Salaries for Radiologists
In South Carolina, Radiologic Technologists earn an average annual salary of $62,380, with the lowest 10% earning $45,070 or less and the highest 10% earning $80,720 or more. Nationally, the average annual salary is $73,410, with the lowest 10% earning $50,020 or less and the highest 10% earning $102,380 or more.
National vs Local Salaries
| Location | Average Annual Salary | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $73,410 | $50,020 | $60,690 | $73,410 | $84,670 | $102,380 |
| South Carolina | $62,380 | $45,070 | $52,380 | $62,380 | $76,650 | $80,720 |
Salaries by Region
| Region | Average Annual Salary | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $59,590 | $46,140 | $51,280 | $59,590 | $72,600 | $75,540 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $64,870 | $54,860 | $61,990 | $64,870 | $78,730 | $84,070 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $65,210 | $49,710 | $59,500 | $65,210 | $79,350 | $86,500 |
| Columbia, SC | $62,540 | $49,600 | $52,950 | $62,540 | $78,210 | $84,260 |
| Florence, SC | $62,160 | $47,550 | $50,230 | $62,160 | $77,870 | $79,920 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | $60,850 | $28,250 | $46,990 | $60,850 | $70,370 | $80,200 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | $63,440 | $42,750 | $53,440 | $63,440 | $78,800 | $84,360 |
| Lower Savannah South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $62,500 | $47,730 | $52,740 | $62,500 | $75,110 | $77,580 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | $64,860 | $48,570 | $58,210 | $64,860 | $76,650 | $80,390 |
| Northeast South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $61,100 | $26,790 | $50,460 | $61,100 | $73,680 | $76,550 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $62,240 | $50,770 | $61,510 | $62,240 | $74,770 | $74,770 |
| Sumter, SC | $60,340 | $44,350 | $60,340 | $60,340 | $77,400 | $79,000 |
| Upper Savannah South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $59,780 | $40,640 | $47,110 | $59,780 | $65,090 | $79,250 |
Radiologic technologist Trends in South Carolina
In South Carolina, employment for Radiologic Technologists is expected to grow by 11% from 2020 to 2030, increasing from 3,520 to 3,900 jobs, with 300 projected annual job openings. Nationally, employment for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians is projected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, rising from 222,800 to 235,000 jobs, with 13,100 projected annual job openings.
Employment Trends
| Location | Employment (2020/2022) | Projected Employment (2030/2032) | Projected Growth | Projected Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 3,520 | 3,900 | 11% | 300 |
| United States | 222,800 | 235,000 | 6% | 13,100 |
Source of the data:
- South Carolina: data for wages here and for employment trends here.
- U.S data: Bureau of Labour Statistics
Professional Organizations
Working radiologic technologists in South Carolina can further their careers by joining a local organization like the South Carolina Society of Radiologic Technologists (SCSRT), which offers benefits to its members including exclusive job openings, community outreach projects, and valuable network ties for a small fee. In many cases, becoming a member of professional organizations such as the SCRST will give radiologic technologists a leading edge when applying for jobs.
To become a radiologic technologist, students must complete an accredited program. South Carolina is home to more than 10 such programs, many of which are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The JRCERT sets standards for all educational programs in the field and oversees their accreditation status.
Additional information on the radiology profession can be found at the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
JRCERT Accredited Radiography Programs in South Carolina
Aiken Technical College – Radiography
2276 Jefferson Davis Highway, Graniteville SC 29829
Tel: (803) 508-7445
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Science
Duration: 26 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 100% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 81% Job Placement Rate: 95%
Tuition Fees: $5,004 Resident, $12,000 Non-resident
AnMed Health Medical Center – Radiography
800 North Fant Street, Anderson SC 29621
Tel: (864) 512-3705
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Certificate
Duration: 28 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 91.6% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 95% Job Placement Rate: 98%
Tuition Fees: $2,500 Resident, $2,500 Non-resident
Florence-Darlington Technical College – Radiography
P.O. Box 100548, Florence SC 29501-0548
Tel: (843) 676-8529
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate in Radiologic Technology
Duration: 46 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 91% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 96% Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $6,117 Resident, $6,117 Non-resident
Greenville Technical College – Radiography
P.O. Box 5616, Greenville SC 29606-5616
Tel: (864) 250-8316
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 78 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 80% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 96% Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $5,809
Horry-Georgetown Technical College – Radiography
The Dr. Robert E. Speir Jr. Healthcare, Myrtle Beach SC 29577
Tel: (843) 839-1149
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 46 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 80% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 98.48% Job Placement Rate: 94%
Tuition Fees: $4,983 Resident, $9,039 Non-resident
Midlands Technical College – Radiography
P.O. Box 2408, Columbia SC 29202
Tel: (803) 822-3651
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 39 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 83% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 100% Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $6,500
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College – Radiography
3250 St. Matthews Road, Orangeburg SC 29118-8299
Tel: (803) 535-1356
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 28 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 61.5% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 100% Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $7,155 Resident, $8,523 Non-resident
Piedmont Technical College – Radiography
620 N. Emerald Road, Greenwood SC 29646
Tel: (864) 941-8523
Program Name: Radiography
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 38 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 83% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 91% Job Placement Rate: 85%
Tuition Fees: $1,832 Resident, $2,654 Non-resident
Spartanburg Community College – Radiography
P.O. Box 4386, Spartanburg SC 29305-4386
Tel: (864) 592-4722
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 50 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 65% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 100% Job Placement Rate: 94%
Tuition Fees: $5,946
Technical College of the Lowcountry – Radiography
921 Ribaut Road, Beaufort SC 29901
Tel: (843) 470-8402
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 32 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 86.67% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 96.42% Job Placement Rate: 96.92%
Tuition Fees: $6,640 Resident, $13,920 Non-resident
Trident Technical College – Radiography
P.O. Box 118067, Charleston SC 29423
Tel: (843) 574-6191
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 59 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 79% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 75.3% Job Placement Rate: 92%
Tuition Fees: $5,690 Resident, $10,770 Non-resident
York Technical College – Radiography
452 South Anderson Road, Rock Hill SC 29730
Tel: (803) 981-7011
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 41 months
Program Effectiveness: Completion Rate: 67% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 100% Job Placement Rate: 100%
Tuition Fees: $5,472 Resident, $12,636 Non-resident