Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 29-2034.00
Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Moderate· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.22
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Show 39 hidden tasks30 rated tasks · 23 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (76.7%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
Tasks of O*NET-SOC 2010 occupations 29-2034.00 Radiologic Technologists; 29-2099.06 Radiologic Technicians, linked to this occupation by the O*NET-SOC 2010 to 2019 crosswalk
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % |
|---|---|
Maintain a current file of examination protocols.29-2099.06 | 0.005521.6 |
Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes.29-2034.00 | 0.004618.0 |
Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.29-2034.00 | 0.004317.0 |
Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.29-2034.00 | 0.003413.4 |
Explain procedures to patients to reduce anxieties and obtain cooperation.29-2099.06 | 0.003312.9 |
Provide assistance in dressing or changing seriously ill, injured, or disabled patients.29-2034.00 | 0.00228.8 |
Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.29-2034.00 | 0.00218.2 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.O*NET Task ID 22802 | 0.5 |
Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes.O*NET Task ID 22803 | 0.5 |
Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.O*NET Task ID 22805 | 0.5 |
Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.O*NET Task ID 22806 | 0.5 |
Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.O*NET Task ID 22807 | 0.5 |
Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.O*NET Task ID 22808 | 0.5 |
Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.O*NET Task ID 22809 | 0.5 |
Key commands and data into computer to document and specify scan sequences, adjust transmitters and receivers, or photograph certain images.O*NET Task ID 22810 | 0.5 |
Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories.O*NET Task ID 22811 | 0.5 |
Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards.O*NET Task ID 22812 | 0.5 |
Operate digital picture archiving communications systems.O*NET Task ID 22814 | 0.5 |
Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.O*NET Task ID 22816 | 0.5 |
Provide assistance to physicians or other technologists in the performance of more complex procedures.O*NET Task ID 22817 | 0.5 |
Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.O*NET Task ID 22819 | 0.5 |
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.O*NET Task ID 22820 | 0.5 |
Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.O*NET Task ID 22822 | 0.5 |
Maintain a current file of examination protocols.O*NET Task ID 22823 | 0.5 |
Perform general administrative tasks, such as answering phones, scheduling patient appointments, or pulling and filing films.O*NET Task ID 22824 | 0.5 |
Assist with on-the-job training of new employees or students or provide input to supervisors regarding training performance.O*NET Task ID 22825 | 0.5 |
Assign duties to radiologic staff to maintain patient flows and achieve production goals.O*NET Task ID 22828 | 0.5 |
Coordinate work with clerical personnel or other technologists and technicians.O*NET Task ID 22829 | 0.5 |
Perform supervisory duties, such as developing departmental operating budget, coordinating purchases of supplies or equipment, or preparing work schedules.O*NET Task ID 22830 | 0.5 |
Provide students or other technicians and technologists with suggestions of additional views, alternate positioning, or improved techniques to ensure the images produced are of the highest quality.O*NET Task ID 22831 | 0.5 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (30)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes. | Core |
| Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes. | Core |
| Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician. | Core |
| Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods. | Core |
| Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff. | Core |
| Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination. | Core |
| Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan. | Core |
| Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians. | Core |
| Key commands and data into computer to document and specify scan sequences, adjust transmitters and receivers, or photograph certain images. | Core |
| Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories. | Core |
| Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards. | Core |
| Set up examination rooms, ensuring that all necessary equipment is ready. | Core |
| Operate digital picture archiving communications systems. | Core |
| Transport patients to or from exam rooms. | Core |
| Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician. | Core |
| Provide assistance to physicians or other technologists in the performance of more complex procedures. | Core |
| Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports. | Core |
| 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. | Core |
| Provide assistance in dressing or changing seriously ill or injured patients or patients with disabilities. | Core |
| Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor. | Core |
| Maintain a current file of examination protocols. | Core |
| Perform general administrative tasks, such as answering phones, scheduling patient appointments, or pulling and filing films. | Core |
| Assist with on-the-job training of new employees or students or provide input to supervisors regarding training performance. | Core |
| Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist. | Core |
| Operate fluoroscope to aid physician to view and guide wire or catheter through blood vessels to area of interest. | Core |
| Assign duties to radiologic staff to maintain patient flows and achieve production goals. | Core |
| Coordinate work with clerical personnel or other technologists and technicians. | Core |
| Provide students or other technicians and technologists with suggestions of additional views, alternate positioning, or improved techniques to ensure the images produced are of the highest quality. | Core |
| Operate mobile x-ray equipment in operating room, emergency room, or at patient's bedside. | Supplemental |
| Perform supervisory duties, such as developing departmental operating budget, coordinating purchases of supplies or equipment, or preparing work schedules. | Supplemental |
0.43/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)
E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site
Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.
| Task (O*NET 29.3) | Robot environment tier |
|---|---|
| Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff. | E0 none |
| Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination. | E2 structured facilities |
| Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards. | E0 none |
| Set up examination rooms, ensuring that all necessary equipment is ready. | E0 none |
| Transport patients to or from exam rooms. | E2 structured facilities |
| Provide assistance to physicians or other technologists in the performance of more complex procedures. | E0 none |
| Operate mobile x-ray equipment in operating room, emergency room, or at patient's bedside. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| 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. | E0 none |
| Provide assistance in dressing or changing seriously ill or injured patients or patients with disabilities. | E0 none |
| Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor. | E0 none |
| Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist. | E1 purpose-built robot settings |
| Operate fluoroscope to aid physician to view and guide wire or catheter through blood vessels to area of interest. | E0 none |
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 234K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 246K
- Change (2025–35)
- +5%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $80,110
- Typical education needed for entry
- Associate's degree
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24620 | 방사선사 | This occupation is narrower | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 3211Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Equipment Technicians
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Medical imaging and therapeutic equipment technicians test and operate radiographic, ultrasound and other medical imaging equipment to produce images of body structures for the diagnosis and treatment of injury, disease and other impairments. They may administer radiation treatments to patients under the supervision of a radiologist or other health professional.
Tasks
- (a) operating or overseeing operation of radiologic, ultrasound and magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes;
- (b) explaining procedures, observing and positioning patients, and using protection devices to ensure safety and comfort during examination, scan or treatment;
- (c) position imaging or treatment equipment, monitoring video displays, and adjusting settings and controls according to technical specifications;
- (d) reviewing and evaluating developed x-rays, video tape or computer generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, and recording results of procedures;
- (e) monitoring patients' conditions and reactions, and reporting abnormal signs to a medical practitioner;
- (f) measuring and recording radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received and used for patients, following prescription issued by a medical practitioner;
- (g) administering, detecting and mapping radiopharmaceuticals or radiation in patients' bodies, using radioisotope, camera or other equipment for diagnosing and treating diseases;
- (h) recording and disposing of radioactive materials and storing radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.
Example occupations
Diagnostic medical radiographer · Magnetic resonance imaging technologist · Mammographer · Medical radiation therapist · Nuclear medicine technologist · Radiographer · Sonographer
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- diagnostic radiographerESCO 2269.8.1This occupation is broader
Diagnostic radiographers plan, prepare and perform diagnostic imaging examinations and post processing, with a wide range of equipment and techniques using X-rays, strong magnetic fields or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and high frequency sound (Ultrasound).
- nuclear medicine radiographerESCO 2269.8.2This occupation is broader
Nuclear Medicine Radiographers plan, prepare and perform nuclear medicine examinations, post-processing and treatment with a wide range of equipment and techniques using X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and radiopharmaceuticals.
- radiographerESCO 2269.8This occupation is broader
Radiographers use a range of technologies to examine, treat and care for patients. They work in the fields of Medical Imaging, Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine and apply ionising radiation, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and radioactive sources.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| J1306 | Manipulateur / Manipulatrice d'électroradiologie médicale | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 3312 | Técnicos en imagen para el diagnóstico | This occupation is narrower |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 81232 | Medizinisch-technische Berufe in der Radiologie - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten | This occupation is narrower |
| 81233 | Medizinisch-technische Berufe in der Radiologie - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 141 | 診療放射線技師 | Same scope |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources