How to Become a Radiology Technician in Kentucky (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Kentucky employs about 3,630 radiology technicians earning a median $69,670 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 Radiation Health Branch - Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Radiation Operator Certification Branch.

Compare Radiology Technician Schools in Kentucky

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
156.0$4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state$41,50758%Yes*82 mi
255.4$4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state$44,85454%Yes*96 mi
Sponsored Ad
355.0$4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state$43,58459%Yes*30 mi
451.0$4,808 in-state / $6,512 out-of-state$48,18143%Yes*49 mi
Sponsored Ad
549.7$4,808 in-state / $6,512 out-of-state$50,10635%Yes*42 mi
647.1$4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state$43,25243%Yes*61 mi
Sponsored Ad
743.9$15,480$53,06871%Yes*37 mi
843.3$14,200$40,85446%Yes*42 mi
Sponsored Ad

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.

Kentucky employs approximately 3,630 radiology technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $69,670 1. The state’s concentration of radiology technician jobs is 1.22x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Kentucky, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Radiology Technician in Kentucky

How to become a Radiology Technician in Kentucky? Complete a JRCERT-accredited radiography program, ARRT(R), and state radiologic technologist licensure where required. Apply through Radiation Health Branch - Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Radiation Operator Certification Branch.

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 Radiation Health Branch - Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Radiation Operator Certification Branch.

Do I need a license in Kentucky? Yes. Kentucky credentials this role through Radiation Health Branch - Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Radiation Operator Certification Branch 3. See the licensing section below.

What do radiology technicians earn in Kentucky? The median annual wage for radiology technicians in Kentucky is $69,670 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $51,740 and experienced professionals can earn $99,170 or more 1.

How to Become a Radiology Technician in Kentucky

  1. Meet program entry rules. Radiography programs in Kentucky 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 Kentucky. 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 Radiation Health Branch - Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Radiation Operator Certification Branch.

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

Radiology Technician License Requirements in Kentucky

Radiologic technologists in Kentucky typically complete a JRCERT-accredited program, pass ARRT(R), and obtain a state CRT or equivalent where required. See Radiation Health Branch - Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Radiation Operator Certification Branch 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet program entry rules.

  2. Complete a JRCERT-accredited radiography program.

  3. Pass ARRT(R).

  4. Apply to Radiation Health Branch - Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Radiation Operator Certification Branch for CRT or the state equivalent when required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Radiation Health Branch - Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Radiation Operator Certification Branch before you enroll.

Radiology Technician Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Cincinnati1,650$79,270$77,630$61,680$98,450
Louisville/Jefferson County1,200$76,860$79,530$57,970$103,630
Lexington-Fayette660$79,010$76,710$53,120$99,810
Huntington-Ashland360$79,090$76,030$61,050$94,960
Bowling Green120$76,080$72,200$52,950$93,000
Paducah120$75,200$74,090$52,000$99,700
Clarksville110$62,380$66,780$52,480$81,160
Owensboro100$63,010$67,560$51,740$94,470
Elizabethtown50$69,240$68,930$41,690$92,860

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 Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 3,630 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 Kentucky with an out-of-state license? Contact the Radiation Health Branch - Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Radiation Operator Certification Branch for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do radiology technicians earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for radiology technicians in Kentucky is $69,670, which is $7,990 below the national median of $77,660 according to BLS data 1.

In Kentucky

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in Kentucky

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. Radiation Health Branch - Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Radiation Operator Certification Branch - Licensing Information: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dphps/rhb/Pages/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎

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)