The 2024 vacancy rate for radiation therapists increased to 13.6% while the vacancy rate for medical dosimetrists decreased to 9.6%, according to the ASRT Radiation Therapy Workplace and Staffing Survey. This is compared to a 10.7% vacancy rate for radiation therapists and 11.4% for medical dosimetrists in 2022.

Vacancy rates represent the number of unfilled positions that are actively being recruited. The increase in vacancy rates in medical imaging and radiation therapy captured in ASRT’s staffing surveys has served as a catalyst for the Society to work with peer organizations to develop strategies to address the current workforce shortage.

"In February 2024, ASRT, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology co-hosted the Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, which included representatives from 15 organizations spanning the profession. From this meeting, sponsoring organizations are actively collaborating to address workforce shortages by 1) articulating career pathways, 2) creating a pipeline from formal education programs to the workplace and 3) expanding opportunities for education and training that meets the emerging needs of students. Through this work, ASRT is taking steps to advocate for the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession and to support workforce and staffing," said Melissa Culp, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(MR), executive vice president of member engagement.

The survey also tracks longitudinal changes in staffing levels in radiation therapy and medical dosimetry. For example, the average number of full-time equivalent radiation therapist positions budgeted at each facility rose from 7.3 in 2022 to 8.3 in 2024.

Overall, the average number of FTE therapists budgeted per facility has increased by 2.3 during a 20-year period — from 6.0 in 2004 to 8.3 in 2024. The number of FTE dosimetrist positions budgeted per facility rose from 2.4 in 2022 to 2.7 in 2024. Overall, the number of FTE dosimetrists budgeted per facility has increased by 1.1 during a 20-year period — from 1.6 in 2004 to 2.7 in 2024.

ASRT emailed the biennial survey in May 2024 to 22,892 radiation therapists and medical dosimetrists. At the close of the survey in June 2024, 645 respondents from all U.S. states, except Montana, had submitted completed questionnaires for a response rate of 2.8%.

More than 70 health care organizations from across the U.S. will participate in ASRT’s free Virtual Career Fair on Sept. 26 from 4-7 p.m. Eastern time.

The event is part of ASRT’s ongoing efforts to address the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession’s workforce shortage, which was discussed at the Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy this past February.

"The Consensus Committee meeting resulted in several goals to address the current shortages by increasing the pipeline into the profession. This career fair is one part of a larger plan by ASRT, which aims to bolster staffing and support the medical imaging and radiation therapy workforce," said Melissa Culp, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(MR), executive vice president of member engagement.

Participants are encouraged to register, review the participating organizations’ profiles, browse open positions, provide their background experience and prepare to connect with representatives for one-on-one chats. An internet-connected device is required. Registration is free and all registered participants will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Visa gift card.

The ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in volunteer positions for the Committee on Fellows, Committee on Nominations and the Practice Standards Council.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for these openings are available through the links below:

Please contact ASRT Volunteer Services at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

To see all current positions available, visit the Open Volunteer Opportunities page.

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists has donated $10,000 to the American Red Cross to assist with disaster relief efforts across the southeastern U.S. caused by Hurricane Helene. The donation is being made on behalf of ASRT’s 156,000 members, the health care professionals who perform medical imaging procedures or plan and deliver radiation therapy treatments.

Nearly 41,000 ASRT members live and work in the Southeast region of the U.S. where the storm has had significant impact.

"It is vital that we provide this assistance to those affected by this catastrophic storm. We are aware that many of our own ASRT members, staff and their families may have been impacted and we are committed to their recovery," said ASRT President Heather Moore, Ph.D., R.T.(R).

The Red Cross is working diligently with its partners on the ground to mobilize relief supplies and disaster workers and is coordinating with local and state officials to support people in need.

"We also want to recognize the first responders, emergency personnel and health care workers for their heroic efforts in providing care and comfort to those affected," added ASRT Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, CAE.

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists is hosting a museum event for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico on Oct. 10, at 11 a.m. at the ASRT Museum and Archives in Albuquerque. The event is part of an initiative introduced by ASRT President Heather Moore, Ph.D., R.T.(R), which focuses on educating children and young adults about the radiologic technology profession while also promoting the mission of BBBS.

Dr. Moore's passion for the mentor organization stems from a relationship that began more than 20 years ago when she and her husband mentored a little brother through BBBS. "It was a life-changing experience," said Dr. Moore, who continues her mentor relationship to this day.

During the event, BBBS area youth, with their adult brothers or sisters, will be introduced to the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession, dive into the profession's rich history and interact with the museum’s computerized displays and exhibits. Deanna Sauceda, chief of programs for BBBS of Central New Mexico said, "I think our young people will learn a lot about the history of radiology and walk away with their eyes wide open to a lot of new opportunities."

Dr. Moore's two other presidential initiatives focus on building pipelines into the profession and developing continuing education products focused on the special considerations needed when imaging or providing care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. "I'm confident that my initiatives will support the Society's mission to advance and elevate the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession and to enhance the quality and safety of patient care," said Dr. Moore.

The ASRT Museum and Archives, established in 2015, tells the history of the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession, and the ASRT, the world's largest radiologic science association. The museum is open to visitors by appointment only. To schedule a guided tour email [email protected].

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists 2025 election in February will include a special election ballot to fill the vacated 2024-2025 Board of Directors president-elect seat.

The annual election offers ASRT voting members the opportunity to elect officers and chapter delegates.

By casting their vote on the special election ballot, members will vote in a new president-elect for the remainder of the 2024-2025 Board term. In addition, members will vote to elect the next president-elect for the 2025-2026 term as part of the annual election ballot.

When the company that manages the election tallies the votes in March 2025, the Society will follow the process below, as outlined in the ASRT Bylaws:

• The member who wins the special election component will immediately start serving on the Board as president-elect and finish out the 2024-2025 term. The individual will then be elevated to president for the 2025-2026 term after being duly installed during the Installation of Officers event at the close of the 2025 ASRT Annual Governance and House of Delegates Meeting in Reno, Nevada.
• The member who wins the regular annual election will serve as president-elect for the 2025-2026 term after being duly installed during the Installation of Officers event at the close of the 2025 ASRT Annual Governance and House of Delegates Meeting in Reno, Nevada.

The special election is required per ASRT Bylaws as Daniel DeMaio, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(CT), recently resigned from his position as president-elect. “I have decided to pursue a new professional direction that precludes me from continuing my volunteer service with the ASRT at this time,” said DeMaio.

ASRT members who meet the qualifications and are interested in running for president-elect or nominating another qualified ASRT member to run on the special election ballot may submit nominations through the ASRT election web page during the nomination period, Oct. 14-25.

For questions about the special election, contact the ASRT Governance Department at [email protected].

The ASRT Foundation is seeking qualified members interested in volunteer positions on the International Speakers and Corporate Sponsored Programs Review Committee, Research and Grants Advisory Panel, and Scholarship Review Committee.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for these openings are available through the links below:

• International Speakers and Corporate Sponsored Programs Review Committee
• Research and Grants Advisory Panel
• Scholarship Review Committee

Please contact ASRT Volunteer Services at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. To see all current positions available, visit the Open Volunteer Opportunities page.

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists’ Be Seen public awareness campaign received honorable mentions in the multi-channel campaign and visual storytelling categories at the 2024 Nonprofit Communications Awards sponsored by PR Daily and Ragan Communications. The awards were announced on Sept. 27 in New York City.

Launched in February 2024, the campaign raises public awareness about the crucial role medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals play in patient diagnosis, intervention and treatment.

The campaign includes five distinct tactical components: a commercial, campaign microsite, social media posts, paid media advertisements and earned media placements. Initial data shows that the campaign has resulted in nearly 50 million impressions through online, social media, earned media, linear television commercial streaming and paid advertising tactics.

According to PR Daily, the awards celebrate the people, organizations and communities whose messages drove awareness and championed the causes that advanced their missions.

The October episode of ASRT’s podcast, “The RAD Position,” is now available. ASRT member and Vice President of Governance and Public Policy Jason Bradley, B.A., R.T.(R), CAE, joins host Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, CAE, to talk about ASRT advocacy efforts that are helping the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession be seen.

In this episode, Bradley highlights specific ways members can get involved in professional advocacy. He explains why state licensure is so important, discusses the unprecedented response to petition the Office of Management and Budget to classify radiologic technologists as professional status and shares his team’s recent experience visiting elected officials in Washington, D.C.

“The goal is to be seen as professionals to make a positive impact in the health care community to advance and elevate the profession and enhance the quality and safety of patient care. Just imagine what we could accomplish if all 156,000-plus members got involved in some way and stood in unison,” said Bradley.

To learn more about ASRT’s advocacy efforts, visit the Advocacy Action Center or email [email protected]. Archived episodes with transcripts are available at this link.

“The RAD Position” is a monthly podcast hosted by ASRT CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, CAE, and her podcast partner, Ray Arambula, ASRT chief information officer and is available on Spotify, Apple and other streaming platforms. It features guests from the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession, including members of the ASRT Board of Directors, ASRT staff, medical imaging and radiation therapy experts, and others.

The overall average salary of a radiologic technologist nationwide rose by 12.3% since 2022 and now averages $86,484, according to results from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Wage and Salary Survey 2024.

The survey, conducted in August 2024, shows that all major disciplines in medical imaging and radiation therapy saw average annual increases since 2022, with some areas showing greater gains than others.

“This year’s survey shows consistent gains across all major disciplines as compared to the 2022 wage and salary survey,” said Melissa Culp, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(MR), ASRT executive vice president of member engagement. “ASRT will continue to monitor salaries in the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession to ensure that radiologic technologists, managers and decision makers have current data to make informed decisions.”

Among major disciplines, nuclear medicine technologists experienced the largest average gains at 20.2%, from a $88,576 average annual salary in 2022 to $106,475 in 2024. Vascular interventional followed with a 13.6% increase, moving from $83,934 to $95,317. Sonographers saw a 13.2% increase from $82,368 to $93,237. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists saw their pay increase by 12.5% from $82,395 to $92,729. Computed tomography and radiography each experienced a 12.3% increase from $78,159 to $87,785 and $65,246 to $73,274, respectively. Mammographers experienced an 11.5% increase from $79,323 to $88,468.

In addition, cardiac interventional technologists saw salaries increase by 10.4% and radiation therapists experienced a 7.2% increase.

The disciplines with the highest reported mean compensation were medical dosimetry at $136,510, radiologist assistant at $126,428 and radiation therapy at $106,425.

Compensation also varies by region. On average, R.T.s working in California have the highest annual compensation at $125,843, followed by technologists in Delaware at $106,676. Technologists in Nebraska earned the lowest base annual compensation at $61,924.

“In the past, we conducted the wage and salary survey every three years,” said John Culbertson, M.Ed., M.A., ASRT director of research. “However, with rising inflation and the high vacancy rates, we decided to conduct the survey at the two-year mark to ensure that ASRT members have the most up-to-date compensation statistics.”

The ASRT sent the Radiologic Technologist Wage and Salary Survey to 359,399 email addresses in the ASRT database. At the survey’s close, a total of 19,687 questionnaires were completed. Of the total, 18,158 radiologic technologists indicated that they were currently employed in the radiologic sciences. This sample size yields a ±0.73% margin of error at its widest for overall percentages at the 95% confidence level.

Since 2001, the ASRT has conducted the Wage and Salary Survey of radiologic technologists with the primary objective to measure income, benefits, satisfaction and other compensation-related metrics.