How Much Does a Rad Tech Make in Bristol, TN in 2026?
Typical pay for Rad Techs in Bristol, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Tennessee.
BLS OES May 2025 · Kingsport · Bristol metro area
A typical Rad Tech in Bristol, Tennessee earns $29.54 per hour, or $61,450 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $5,121 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $48,120, and the top 10% of earners make over $79,160.
That pay is 5% below the Tennessee figure of $64,630 and 23% below the national figure of $80,110. Bristol ranks 8th of 8 metro areas in Tennessee for Rad Tech pay. About 200 Rad Techs work in the Kingsport · Bristol area. Bristol is part of the Kingsport · Bristol metro area, and BLS reports pay for the metro as a whole, so Kingsport share these figures.
Rad Tech pay in Bristol at a glance
- Typical pay is $29.54 an hour, or $61,450 a year.
- That is 5% below the Tennessee figure, ranking 8th of 8 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $48,120; the top 10% make over $79,160.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Rad Tech make in Bristol?
Pay in Bristol runs from entry-level positions at around $23.14 an hour to more than $38.06 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Tennessee and national figures.
Rad Tech pay by career stage in Bristol
| Career stage | Bristol | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $48,120$23.14 an hour | $50,540$24.30 an hour | $55,980$26.91 an hour |
| First years | $53,500$25.72 an hour | $59,610$28.66 an hour | $64,810$31.16 an hour |
| Typical Rad Tech | $61,450$29.54 an hour | $64,630$31.07 an hour | $80,110$38.52 an hour |
| Experienced | $75,510$36.31 an hour | $78,700$37.84 an hour | $98,750$47.47 an hour |
| Top 10% | $79,160$38.06 an hour | $90,790$43.65 an hour | $118,660$57.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Kingsport · Bristol area as BLS defines it
How Bristol compares with other Tennessee cities
Nashville pays Rad Techs the most in Tennessee at $76,450 a year, $15,000 more than Bristol. The lowest-paying area in the state is Kingsport at $61,450.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Bristol | Rad Techs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $76,450 | $36.76 | +24% | 1,450 |
| 2 | Johnson City | $75,980 | $36.53 | +24% | 190 |
| 3 | Knoxville | $68,890 | $33.12 | +12% | 670 |
| 4 | Memphis | $66,320 | $31.88 | +8% | 890 |
| 5 | Jackson | $64,620 | $31.07 | +5% | 160 |
| 6 | Clarksville | $62,380 | $29.99 | +2% | 110 |
| 7 | Chattanooga | $62,090 | $29.85 | +1% | 350 |
| 8 | Bristol metro incl. Kingsport | $61,450 | $29.54 | this city | 200 |
Every metro area in Tennessee with Rad Tech wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Tennessee typical pay $64,630
Is Bristol a good place to work as a Rad Tech?
Rad Techs in Bristol earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $61,450 a year, 23% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Kingsport · Bristol area, about 1.7 are Rad Tech positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.5. Rad Tech jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Rad Tech make in Bristol, TN?
- A typical Rad Tech in Bristol earns $61,450 a year, or $29.54 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $48,120 and the top 10% earn over $79,160.
- How much does a Rad Tech make an hour in Bristol?
- Typical hourly pay for Rad Techs in Bristol is $29.54. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $23.14, and the top 10% earn over $38.06 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Rad Tech in Bristol?
- Entry-level Rad Tech positions in Bristol typically offer around $23.14 an hour, or $48,120 a year.
- Is Rad Tech pay in Bristol higher than in the rest of Tennessee?
- Bristol pay is 5% below the Tennessee figure of $64,630 a year, ranking 8th of 8 metro areas in the state. Nashville pays the most in Tennessee at $76,450.