How to Become a Radiology Technician in Colorado (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Colorado employs about 3,960 radiology technicians earning a median $87,760 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Radiology Technician here means completing a JRCERT-accredited radiography program, ARRT(R), and state radiologic technologist licensure where required, then applying through Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment - X-ray machine operators and technologists.

Compare Radiology Technician Schools in Colorado

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
167.1$4,613 in-state / $10,913 out-of-state$49,81838%Yes*104 mi
264.2$4,859 in-state / $17,459 out-of-state$62,69532%Yes*22 mi
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363.2Contact school for pricing$46,01664%—38 mi
459.9$3,840 in-state / $4,410 out-of-state$50,62437%Yes*179 mi
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559.9$4,252 in-state / $16,852 out-of-state$48,02545%Yes*102 mi
656.7$9,927 in-state / $25,124 out-of-state$58,60141%Yes*165 mi
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752.8$2,258 in-state / $11,786 out-of-state$51,70440%Yes*62 mi
852.8Contact school for pricing$42,93773%—32 mi
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951.5$5,049 in-state / $17,649 out-of-state$49,17931%Yes*113 mi
1050.3$4,510 in-state / $17,110 out-of-state$48,53821%Yes*79 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Colorado employs approximately 3,960 radiology technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $87,760 1. Nationally, radiology technician employment is projected to grow 4.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 12,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Radiology Technician in Colorado, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: JRCERT-accredited radiography program (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: a JRCERT-accredited radiography program, ARRT(R), and state radiologic technologist licensure where required
  • Licensing authority: [Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment - X-ray machine operators and technologists](https://X-ray machine operators and technologists | Department of Public Health & Environment)
  • Exam: ARRT(R)
  • Median wage (Colorado): $87,760 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Radiology Technician in Colorado

How to become a Radiology Technician in Colorado? Complete a JRCERT-accredited radiography program, ARRT(R), and state radiologic technologist licensure where required. Apply through Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment - X-ray machine operators and technologists.

How long does it take? Most people finish a JRCERT-accredited radiography program, ARRT(R), and state radiologic technologist licensure where required. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment - X-ray machine operators and technologists.

Do I need a license in Colorado? Yes. Colorado credentials this role through [Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment - X-ray machine operators and technologists](https://X-ray machine operators and technologists | Department of Public Health & Environment) 3. See the licensing section below.

What do radiology technicians earn in Colorado? The median annual wage for radiology technicians in Colorado is $87,760 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $63,270 and experienced professionals can earn $111,730 or more 1.

How to Become a Radiology Technician in Colorado

  1. Meet program entry rules. Radiography programs in Colorado typically require a high school diploma or GED. Confirm prerequisites with the program.
  2. Complete a JRCERT-accredited radiography program. Finish a JRCERT-accredited radiography program in Colorado. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Pass ARRT(R). Pass the ARRT radiography exam. Some states accept ARRT in lieu of a separate state exam.
  4. Apply for state licensure where required. Apply for the state radiologic technologist credential where required. Confirm fluoroscopy or CRT rules with Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment - X-ray machine operators and technologists.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Radiology Technician License Requirements in Colorado

Radiologic technologists in Colorado typically complete a JRCERT-accredited program, pass ARRT(R), and obtain a state CRT or equivalent where required. See [Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment - X-ray machine operators and technologists](https://X-ray machine operators and technologists | Department of Public Health & Environment) 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet program entry rules.

  2. Complete a JRCERT-accredited radiography program.

  3. Pass ARRT(R).

  4. Apply to Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment - X-ray machine operators and technologists for CRT or the state equivalent when required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment - X-ray machine operators and technologists before you enroll.

Radiology Technician Wages by Metro Area in Colorado

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Colorado

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), radiologic technologists and technicians wages in Colorado vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Denver-Aurora-Centennial1,980$98,000$91,560$63,920$112,210
Colorado Springs520$86,470$87,320$63,450$109,120
Boulder290$88,330$91,230$65,570$116,390
Grand Junction140$78,690$85,280$61,760$108,740
Pueblo140$86,340$87,280$63,110$120,860
Greeley110$82,230$87,210$58,240$104,310
Fort Collins-LovelandN/A$84,000$84,330$62,760$106,730

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for radiology technicians in Colorado? Colorado currently employs approximately 3,960 radiology technicians 1. Nationally, radiology technician employment is projected to grow 4.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a radiology technician in Colorado with an out-of-state license? Contact the [Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment - X-ray machine operators and technologists](https://X-ray machine operators and technologists | Department of Public Health & Environment) for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Colorado? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Colorado.

How much do radiology technicians earn in Colorado compared to the national average? The median annual wage for radiology technicians in Colorado is $87,760, which is $10,100 above the national median of $77,660 according to BLS data 1.

In Colorado

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment - X-ray machine operators and technologists - Licensing Information: [https://X-ray machine operators and technologists | Department of Public Health & Environment](https://X-ray machine operators and technologists | Department of Public Health & Environment) ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)