How to Become a Radiology Technician in Illinois (2026)
Illinois employs about 7,650 radiology technicians earning a median $79,930 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 Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Illinois): $79,930/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Illinois: 7,650 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 0.85x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 4.3% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
- Licensing/credentialing body: Illinois Emergency Management Agency (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)
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Compare Radiology Technician Schools in Illinois
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kishwaukee College | 66.2 | $4,560 - $13,901 | $49,273 | 42% | Yes* | 64 mi |
| 2 | Moraine Valley Community College | 60.0 | Contact school for pricing | $51,357 | 37% | Yes* | 74 mi |
| 3 | Sauk Valley Community College | 59.1 | Contact school for pricing | $54,209 | 50% | Yes* | 65 mi |
| 4 | Joliet Junior College | 55.1 | $4,530 - $13,800 | $51,121 | 21% | Yes* | 52 mi |
| 5 | Kankakee Community College | 53.4 | $5,220 - $25,830 | $50,343 | 35% | Yes* | 57 mi |
| 6 | Heartland Community College | 51.7 | $5,550 - $16,727 | $48,942 | 53% | Yes* | 33 mi |
| 7 | Illinois Central College | 50.0 | Contact school for pricing | $55,058 | Not reported | Yes* | 36 mi |
| 8 | College of DuPage | 47.7 | Contact school for pricing | $55,984 | 25% | — | 73 mi |
| 9 | Parkland College | 40.9 | Contact school for pricing | $47,315 | 32% | — | 70 mi |
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.
Illinois employs approximately 7,650 radiology technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $79,930 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 Illinois, 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: Illinois Emergency Management Agency
- Exam: ARRT(R)
- Median wage (Illinois): $79,930 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Radiology Technician in Illinois
How to become a Radiology Technician in Illinois? Complete a JRCERT-accredited radiography program, ARRT(R), and state radiologic technologist licensure where required. Apply through Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
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 Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Do I need a license in Illinois? Yes. Illinois credentials this role through Illinois Emergency Management Agency 3. See the licensing section below.
What do radiology technicians earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for radiology technicians in Illinois is $79,930 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $59,350 and experienced professionals can earn $104,210 or more 1.
How to Become a Radiology Technician in Illinois
- Meet program entry rules. Radiography programs in Illinois typically require a high school diploma or GED. Confirm prerequisites with the program.
- Complete a JRCERT-accredited radiography program. Finish a JRCERT-accredited radiography program in Illinois. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Pass ARRT(R). Pass the ARRT radiography exam. Some states accept ARRT in lieu of a separate state exam.
- Apply for state licensure where required. Apply for the state radiologic technologist credential where required. Confirm fluoroscopy or CRT rules with Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Radiology Technician License Requirements in Illinois
Radiologic technologists in Illinois typically complete a JRCERT-accredited program, pass ARRT(R), and obtain a state CRT or equivalent where required. See Illinois Emergency Management Agency 3.
Typical path
Meet program entry rules.
Complete a JRCERT-accredited radiography program.
Pass ARRT(R).
Apply to Illinois Emergency Management Agency for CRT or the state equivalent when required.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Illinois Emergency Management Agency before you enroll.
Radiology Technician Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), radiologic technologists and technicians wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 5,650 | $82,140 | $83,590 | $60,130 | $106,150 |
| St. Louis | 2,190 | $76,390 | $74,990 | $59,600 | $97,290 |
| Peoria | 310 | $76,490 | $74,070 | $57,720 | $94,630 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 280 | $64,580 | $67,560 | $51,860 | $80,140 |
| Rockford | 260 | $75,500 | $73,910 | $49,340 | $98,420 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 210 | $66,760 | $74,480 | $59,680 | $99,980 |
| Springfield | 210 | $77,800 | $73,490 | $58,050 | $100,080 |
| Bloomington | 140 | $74,590 | $74,760 | $58,710 | $100,780 |
| Paducah | 120 | $75,200 | $74,090 | $52,000 | $99,700 |
| Cape Girardeau | 100 | $65,220 | $66,700 | $50,470 | $84,190 |
| Kankakee | 70 | $75,620 | $77,570 | $51,850 | $100,300 |
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 Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 7,650 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 Illinois with an out-of-state license? Contact the Illinois Emergency Management Agency for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Illinois.
How much do radiology technicians earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for radiology technicians in Illinois is $79,930, which is $2,270 above the national median of $77,660 according to BLS data 1.
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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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Illinois Emergency Management Agency - Licensing Information: http://www.state.il.us/iema/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |