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

A typical Rad Tech in Virginia earns about $38.78 per hour, or $80,670 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $6,722 a month. On a weekly basis, pay comes to about $1,551, calculated from the annual figure. Both numbers describe pay across the entire state, before local city differences are factored in.

Virginia's typical pay runs close to the national rate. The $38.78 hourly figure compares with a national hourly figure of $38.52, and the $80,670 annual figure sits about 1% above the national figure of $80,110, per the same May 2025 data. Nationally, about 230,490 Rad Techs work in this occupation, compared with Virginia's 5,140. The state ranks 21st among all 51 state and territory rankings for typical pay.

Entry-level positions in Virginia typically offer around $28.85 an hour, or about $60,000 a year, according to the same wage data. That's where many Rad Techs start out, often in a hospital or outpatient imaging setting. Pay typically moves toward the statewide typical figure of $80,670 within the first few years on the job. Location and type of employer both play a role in how quickly that happens.

Experienced Rad Techs in Virginia often earn upwards of $46.09 an hour, or around $95,870 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $106,170 annually. That leaves a spread of $46,170 between entry-level pay and the top of the range. Setting, years of experience, and city all tend to separate the two groups, with specialized imaging roles and higher-cost metro areas often landing near the top.

Virginia's Rad Tech pay has climbed steadily over the past six years. In 2019, the typical wage was $60,670 a year; by 2025 it reached $80,670, a gain of $20,000. That's a rise of about 33% over the period. Growth was fairly steady each year, with a notable jump between 2022 and 2023.

Nationally, Rad Tech pay rose about 32% over roughly the same decade, close to Virginia's climb. For someone starting out now, that history shows pay has moved upward fairly consistently in recent years. It offers no promise of future gains, but the trend line for this profession in Virginia has been a positive one.

Pay runs highest in Arlington, where Rad Techs typically earn $97,390 a year, or $46.82 an hour, about 21% above the statewide figure. These figures reflect the greater Arlington metro area, not the city alone. Richmond follows at $80,600 a year, close to the statewide typical pay, while Charlottesville comes in at $79,560.

At the other end, Bristol pays the least among Virginia's ranked cities, with Rad Techs typically earning $61,450 a year, or $29.54 an hour. That leaves a spread of $35,940 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in the state. Arlington also has the largest Rad Tech workforce among Virginia cities, with about 3,170 workers. Lower pay in cities like Bristol tends to track a lower cost of living rather than anything else.

Virginia's Rad Tech pay compares closely with its neighbors. The District of Columbia pays the most nearby, with Rad Techs typically earning $102,770 a year, about 27% above Virginia's typical pay. Maryland follows close behind at $85,890 a year, about 6% higher than Virginia. Tennessee pays the least among neighboring states, at $64,630 a year, about 20% below Virginia's figure. Licensure earned in Virginia can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary by location.

Rad Techs in Virginia typically earn $80,670 a year, or $38.78 an hour, a figure that has risen about 33% over the past six years. Pay varies by city and experience level, from entry-level positions near $60,000 to top earners above $106,170. Readers preparing for this career should check Virginia's licensing and registry requirements for radiologic technologists, and review city-specific pages for local pay figures before choosing where to work.