How Much Does a Rad Tech Make in Pennsylvania in 2026?

A typical Rad Tech in Pennsylvania earns about $36.56 per hour, or $76,050 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken into smaller increments, that comes to roughly $6,338 a month or $1,462 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. Pay varies by city and employer, but this figure represents the middle of the range statewide.

Pennsylvania pay sits 5% below the national figure of $80,110 a year, or $38.52 an hour, per the same May 2025 data. Lower pay like this often tracks a lower cost of living rather than a difference in the work. That puts the state 35th among the 51 states and D.C. Roughly 8,090 Rad Techs work in Pennsylvania, compared with 230,490 nationwide.

Entry-level positions in Pennsylvania typically offer around $27.13 an hour, or about $56,430 a year, for those just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $76,050 within the first several years on the job. Setting and location both play a role in how quickly that happens. A hospital in a larger metro area may pay more sooner than a smaller rural clinic.

Experienced Rad Techs in Pennsylvania often earn upwards of $46.99 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $97,740 a year. That leaves a spread of $41,310 between entry-level and top pay across the state. Experience, work setting, and city all factor into where someone lands within that range. A Rad Tech with specialized certifications or years in a busy hospital system tends to sit closer to the top.

Pennsylvania's typical Rad Tech pay climbed from $52,880 in 2019 to $76,050 in 2025, a gain of $23,170 over six years. That rise came steadily year over year, with no drop along the way. Pay moved from $55,650 in 2020 through $66,270 in 2023 before reaching this year's figure. The increase reflects broader wage growth across the profession nationwide.

Nationally, Rad Tech pay rose 32% over the same decade, according to the same wage data. Pennsylvania's dollar gain tracks that broader trend, though it reflects what already happened rather than a promise of future increases. Someone starting out today enters a field where pay has moved up substantially in recent years. Past growth doesn't guarantee the same pace ahead, but the direction has been consistently upward.

Pay runs highest in Chambersburg, where Rad Techs typically earn $83,550 a year, or $40.17 an hour, about 10% above the statewide figure. Philadelphia follows closely at $80,190 a year, or $38.55 an hour. Altoona and Lebanon also pay well above the state figure, at $78,700 and $77,830 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Pay runs lowest in Erie, where Rad Techs typically earn $62,500 a year, or $30.05 an hour, the lowest figure among the state's tracked cities. That puts the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying areas at $21,050 a year. Philadelphia holds the largest Rad Tech workforce in the state at 4,130 jobs, even though its pay sits below Chambersburg's. Erie's lower cost of living helps offset the pay gap.

Among Pennsylvania's neighbors, New York pays Rad Techs the most at $98,470 a year, 29% higher than Pennsylvania, and New Jersey follows at $95,000, 25% higher. West Virginia is the only neighboring state that pays less, at $74,150 a year, about 2% below Pennsylvania. Rad Tech licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which makes these regional differences worth weighing for anyone considering a move.

Rad Techs in Pennsylvania typically earn $76,050 a year, up from $52,880 in 2019, a rise of $23,170 over that span. Pay varies by city and experience, with entry-level positions starting lower and top earners making well over $97,740. Anyone considering this path in Pennsylvania should check the state licensing board's registry page for current requirements, and review city-level figures for the local area they plan to work in.