Radiologic Technologist Jobs in Seattle, WA
Seattle hospitals post X-ray technologist pay starting near $40 an hour, and interventional techs at Harborview and Virginia Mason are posted above $75. Here are the current openings, followed by who hires, what it pays and how to get certified in Washington.
Current radiologic technologist Openings in Seattle, WA
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Radiologic Technologist Work in Seattle
Imaging work in Seattle concentrates on First Hill, where Harborview runs the region's only Level 1 trauma center and keeps its X-ray and CT rooms busy around the clock, with Virginia Mason Medical Center and Swedish First Hill a few blocks away. Kaiser Permanente's Capitol Hill campus is another steady source of technologist and MRI openings.
What makes the Seattle market different is pay. Federal wage data puts the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue median above $100,000 a year, far ahead of most of the country, and hospital postings regularly add differentials for evenings, nights, weekends and call. Cross-training into CT, MRI or interventional radiology is the fastest route to the top of local scales.
Top Seattle Employers for Radiologic Technologists
These Seattle employers hire radiologic technologists for hospital and clinic imaging:
- Harborview Medical Center (UW Medicine) - the First Hill trauma center hires radiology and interventional radiology technologists for 24-hour imaging.
- Kaiser Permanente - hires radiologic technologists and MRI technologists at its Capitol Hill campus.
- Virginia Mason Franciscan Health - staffs radiology and interventional radiology technologists at Virginia Mason Medical Center on First Hill.
- Providence Swedish - hires radiology technologists across its Seattle campuses, including on-call pediatric imaging on First Hill.
Radiologic Technologist Salaries in Seattle
- Entry level: about $38 to $45 an hour for newly registered technologists.
- Experienced: roughly $45 to $56 an hour for staff X-ray technologists with a few years in a hospital.
- Senior / specialty: $56 to $83 an hour for interventional, CT and MRI technologists at Seattle hospitals.
These are estimates from Seattle hospital postings and federal wage data. Pay moves with your modality (CT, MRI and interventional pay the most), shift and call pay, union step scales, and years of experience, and on-call and per diem roles often carry a higher hourly rate in exchange for no benefits.
How to Become a Radiologic Technologist in Seattle
You need to finish an accredited radiologic technology program, pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam, and hold a Washington radiologic technologist credential from the Washington State Department of Health, which certifies diagnostic, therapeutic, MRI and nuclear medicine technologists. Bellevue College, on the Eastside, runs the area's Radiologic Technology associate degree, a 23-month program that admits about 30 students a year for a July start, with clinical rotations at local hospitals.
What the Job Involves
Radiologic technologists produce the X-ray images doctors use to diagnose injuries and disease. A shift means positioning patients, setting exposure, shielding and verifying identity, running portable exams in the ED and on the units, assisting with fluoroscopy and C-arm cases in surgery, checking image quality and sending studies to radiologists through PACS.
Skills Employers Look For
- ARRT registration and a Washington radiologic technologist credential
- AHA BLS certification
- Experience with CR/DR X-ray, fluoroscopy and C-arm
- PACS, RIS and Epic Radiant familiarity
- Calm, precise patient positioning in trauma and pediatric cases
- Willingness to cross-train in CT, MRI or interventional work
Career Path and Advancement
Most Seattle technologists start in general diagnostic X-ray, often on evenings, nights or per diem at a First Hill hospital. After a year or two many cross-train into CT, MRI, mammography or interventional radiology, which lifts pay into the $50s to $80s an hour. From there the ladder runs to lead technologist, imaging supervisor and department manager at Seattle's hospital systems.
Related Careers in Seattle
If imaging interests you, these related Seattle roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do radiologic technologists need a Washington state license?
Yes. The Washington State Department of Health certifies radiologic technologists, and Seattle hospitals require that credential along with ARRT registration. Postings at Harborview and Swedish list both as conditions of hire.
How much do radiologic technologists make in Seattle?
New technologists generally start around $38 to $45 an hour, experienced staff technologists earn about $45 to $56, and interventional, CT and MRI technologists can reach $83 an hour at Seattle hospitals.
Where can I study radiologic technology near Seattle?
Bellevue College runs a 23-month Radiologic Technology associate degree that starts each July and admits about 30 students a year. It includes clinical rotations and prepares you for the ARRT exam.
How long does it take to become a rad tech in Seattle?
Plan on about two years for an associate degree program, plus prerequisites before you apply. After graduating you sit for the ARRT exam and apply for your Washington credential before starting work.
Do Seattle hospitals hire new grad radiologic technologists?
Yes, though many first jobs are evening, night, on-call or per diem shifts at the busy First Hill hospitals. Taking those shifts is a common way to get hired on and move to a preferred schedule later.
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