Radiologic Technologist.
New Orleans.
$61,000
median salary, 6% below the national average
$51,000 to $73,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
New Orleans is 8% cheaper than the national average. For Radiologic Technologists, that shakes out to a median of $61,000, with the full range spanning $51,000 to $73,000. Modality specialization is the primary pay driver, with CT, MRI, and interventional radiology techs earning significantly more than general X-ray techs. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $55,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$40,000
to $49,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$52,000
to $64,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$67,000
to $79,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$76,000
to $95,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $15,000 to the total package.
Base
$61,000
Equity
$9,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $76,000
How New Orleans compares
New Orleans, LA
$61,000
Cost of living: 8% below average
National Average
$65,000
New Orleans is $4,000 below
Radiologic Technologist salary by city
Salary by role in New Orleans
What you should know
The Radiologic Technologist landscape in New Orleans is not what most salary sites will tell you. New Orleans has a distinctive economy shaped by energy, port operations, tourism, and a growing digital media sector. The city's creative and cultural industries are unique employment drivers. Post hurricane rebuilding has created ongoing demand in construction, engineering, and resilience planning roles. Modality specialization is the primary pay driver, with CT, MRI, and interventional radiology techs earning significantly more than general X-ray techs. ARRT certification is the baseline, and additional modality registries add incremental pay. Hospital size, shift availability, and metropolitan location also influence salary levels.
General X-ray techs start at $52,000 to $58,000. Adding CT or MRI certification brings pay to $65,000 to $78,000 within three to five years. Lead techs or imaging supervisors earn $80,000 to $95,000 with departmental oversight and quality assurance responsibilities. In New Orleans, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Rad techs receive shift differentials for evenings and weekends, CE reimbursement, and comprehensive benefits. On-call pay for trauma and emergency imaging adds $3,000 to $8,000 annually. Some hospitals offer modality certification bonuses. And on the tax side: louisiana's top income tax rate is 4.25%. New Orleans has no city income tax. The moderate state rate and affordable living costs yield good take home pay. When someone quotes you $61,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight energy sector or resilience engineering experience. New Orleans employers pay premiums for professionals who understand the region's unique environmental and infrastructure challenges. The range for Radiologic Technologists in New Orleans runs from $51,000 to $73,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Electrician in New Orleans earns $60,000 (2% less)
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Common questions.
Radiologic Technologist salary in other cities
Other salaries in New Orleans
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