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Salary comparison

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by $16K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Radiologic Technologists and Technicians land at $80,110 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses at $64,400. The education gap is real: radiologic technologists and technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians is California ($121,260); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses it's Washington ($83,150).

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$80,110
$64,400
Hourly rate
$38.52/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$55,980
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$118,660
$83,440
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
230,490
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
California
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Radiologic Technologists and Technicians median pay.

State
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
California
$121,260
$79,750
Massachusetts
$103,620
$80,220
District of Columbia
$102,770
$75,740
Oregon
$102,290
$80,470
Washington
$102,090
$83,150
Alaska
$98,920
$80,800
New Jersey
$95,000
$75,160
Connecticut
$91,970
$73,690
Arizona
$89,200
$77,070
Colorado
$87,760
$73,880
Maryland
$85,890
$74,660
Rhode Island
$85,330
$80,090
New Hampshire
$84,910
$77,110
Nevada
$82,910
$76,160
Illinois
$79,930
$75,000

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians earn more nationally. The median is $80,110 for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, a difference of $16K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Radiologic Technologists and Technicians get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians at $121,260/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Radiologic Technologists and Technicians vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians earn $121,260 vs. $79,750 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Radiologic Technologists and Technicians salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by take-home payExplore →How to become a radiologic technologists and techniciansGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →