by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Radiologist Assistant involves the study of Radiologist Assistant. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of A Physician, To Perform Patient Assessment, Patient Management, Selected Imaging Procedures And To Make Initial Observations Of Diagnostic Images. Includes Instruction In Radiologic Procedures And Techniques, Cross Sectional Anatomy, Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, Patient Assessment, Patient Care And Management, And Radiation Biology. Read on to learn the key facts every radiologist assistant major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering radiologist assistant programs.
Nationwide, radiologist assistant draws strong interest, with 1,513 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Radiologist Assistant Schools ranking analyzes these 9 schools to determine the best overall colleges for radiologist assistant students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of radiologist assistant programs later in this article.
Studies in Radiologist Assistant build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations radiologist assistant graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a radiologist assistant program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a radiologist assistant major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several radiologist assistant degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 11 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 53 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,449 |
People currently working in careers related to radiologist assistant tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 22.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 21.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 20.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.9% |
| Master’s degree | 8.8% |
| Some college courses | 7.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in radiologist assistant careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying radiologist assistant can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to radiologist assistant.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to radiologist assistant.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Representatives | 3,368,169 | 4.8% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | 3,206,816 | 12.2% |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | 2,908,248 | 9.4% |
| Neurodiagnostic Technologists | 1,852,560 | 14.1% |
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistants | 866,044 | 14.8% |
| Endoscopy Technicians | 708,506 | 7.8% |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | 191,989 | 3.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of radiologist assistant graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,434 |
| 4 years | $29,082 |
| 5 years | $32,352 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for radiologist assistant graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers radiologist assistant grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $153,940 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | $153,819 |
| Neurodiagnostic Technologists | $81,316 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $53,362 |
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistants | $48,496 |
| Patient Representatives | $47,419 |
| Endoscopy Technicians | $40,643 |
With 9 different radiologist assistant programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased radiologist assistant school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in radiologist assistant, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Medical/Clinical Assistant | 52,819 |
| Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | 7,541 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 5,633 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other | 4,065 |
| Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) | 3,923 |
| Occupational Therapist Assistant | 3,178 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant | 614 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant | 431 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | 423 |
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistant | 363 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
