How to become a medical radiation technologist
Official title: Medical radiation technologists
Also called: Radiation therapist, Medical radiographer, Oncology technologist, Radiology technologist, Mammography technologist, Radiography technologist, Radiographic technologist, Radioisotope technologist, Radiological technologist, Radiotherapy technologist, Brachytherapy technologist, Nuclear medicine technologist
Medical radiation technologists operate radiographic and radiation therapy equipment to administer radiation treatment and produce images of body structures for the diagnosis and treatment of injury and disease. They are employed in hospitals, cancer treatment centres, clinics, radiological laboratories, colleges and universities. Medical radiation technologists who are supervisors or instructors are included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Radiological technologists
- Operate X-ray, radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment, computerized tomography (CT) scanners, mammography units and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to produce radiographs or anatomic images of the human body for the diagnosis by radiologists of disease or injury
- Record and process patient data
- Perform basic verification and quality control checks on radiographic and film processing equipment
- Provide appropriate care and monitoring of the patient during the radiographic examination
- Explain procedures, position patient and equipment and apply radiation protection measures
- May train and supervise student radiographers or supervise other radiological technologists
- Radiological technologists may specialize in areas such as computerized tomography, angiography, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, interventional radiology, dosimetry, stereotaxy or brachytherapy
How to become one
Completion of a two- to three-year college, hospital or other approved program in diagnostic radiography or magnetic resonance imaging (for radiological technologists and magnetic resonance technologists), nuclear medicine technology (for nuclear medicine technologists) or radiation therapy (for radiation therapists) or A bachelor of health sciences in radiography, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy and A period of supervised practical training are required. Licensure with a regulatory body is required in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Membership with a provincial association is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba. Certification by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists is required in all provinces except Quebec and British Columbia.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 62% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Allied health diagnostic, intervention and treatment professions; Biological and physical sciences; General health services/allied health/health sciences.
- Licence or registration: Licensure with a regulatory body is required in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $78,000 a year The middle half earn $68,250 to $91,650.
- About 28,100 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 36,200 are projected by 2033. (+28.8%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: strong risk of shortage.
Related jobs
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Medical sonographers
- Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- Pharmacy technicians
- Other medical technologists and technicians
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Questions people ask
How do I become a medical radiation technologist?
Completion of a two- to three-year college, hospital or other approved program in diagnostic radiography or magnetic resonance imaging (for radiological technologists and magnetic resonance technologists), nuclear medicine technology (for nuclear medicine technologists) or radiation therapy (for radiation therapists) or A bachelor of health sciences in radiography, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy and A period of supervised practical training are required. Licensure with a regulatory body is required in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Membership with a provincial association is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba. Certification by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists is required in all provinces except Quebec and British Columbia.
How much does a medical radiation technologist earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $78,000 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $68,250 to $91,650.
Is a medical radiation technologist a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 29% by 2033, from about 28,100 to about 36,200 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a medical radiation technologist?
Not always. 34% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03