Who makes more, a respiratory therapist or a radiology tech?
Respiratory therapists edge out radiology techs at the national average. RTs average around $70,540 per year while radiology techs average around $67,180. That gap narrows quickly when rad techs specialize in MRI, CT, or interventional procedures where salaries can push past $80,000 to $90,000.
Can a radiology tech make more than a respiratory therapist?
Yes, especially with the right specialty. Radiology techs who add MRI or interventional credentials can out-earn most respiratory therapists. Rad techs on travel contracts in high-demand states regularly hit $2,000 to $2,800 per week depending on modality and location.
What do respiratory therapists make on travel contracts?
Travel respiratory therapists typically earn $1,800 to $2,400 per week depending on specialty, state, and setting. RTs with critical care or NICU experience are in particularly high demand and tend to land at the top of that range.
Which career has better long-term earning potential?
Radiology has more branching points. MRI, CT, interventional, sonography, nuclear medicine. Each credential opens a higher pay tier. Respiratory therapy has fewer branches but critical care RTs stay in strong demand and the career ceiling is competitive.
Is it worth going into travel contracts as a radiology tech or respiratory therapist?
Both are strong travel careers. Radiology techs and respiratory therapists are consistently on hospital travel contract lists across the country. If you are already licensed in either field, travel contracts are one of the fastest ways to increase your take-home pay without changing careers.
How does Junxion place radiology techs and respiratory therapists?
Junxion staffs travel contracts for radiology techs across multiple modalities including MRI, CT, and general rad, as well as respiratory therapists in acute care and critical care settings. One recruiter. Same person your whole contract. Talk to us before you sign anywhere else.
Both careers pay well. Both are in demand. The difference shows up when you factor in specialty, setting, and whether you are willing to travel. Radiology techs who pick up MRI or interventional credentials and take travel contracts can clear six figures. Respiratory therapists in critical care and NICU settings are right there with them. If you are already working in either field and want to know what travel contracts actually pay, talk to a Junxion recruiter. We staff both. One recruiter your whole contract.