How Much Does a Rad Tech Make in Bristol, VA 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 Virginia.
BLS OES May 2025 · Kingsport · Bristol metro area
A typical Rad Tech in Bristol, Virginia 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 24% below the Virginia figure of $80,670 and 23% below the national figure of $80,110. Bristol ranks 8th of 8 metro areas in Virginia for Rad Tech pay. About 200 Rad Techs work in the Kingsport · Bristol area.
Rad Tech pay in Bristol at a glance
- Typical pay is $29.54 an hour, or $61,450 a year.
- That is 24% below the Virginia 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 Virginia and national figures.
Rad Tech pay by career stage in Bristol
| Career stage | Bristol | Virginia | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $48,120$23.14 an hour | $60,000$28.85 an hour | $55,980$26.91 an hour |
| First years | $53,500$25.72 an hour | $71,430$34.34 an hour | $64,810$31.16 an hour |
| Typical Rad Tech | $61,450$29.54 an hour | $80,670$38.78 an hour | $80,110$38.52 an hour |
| Experienced | $75,510$36.31 an hour | $95,870$46.09 an hour | $98,750$47.47 an hour |
| Top 10% | $79,160$38.06 an hour | $106,170$51.04 an hour | $118,660$57.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Kingsport · Bristol area as BLS defines it
Rad Tech pay growth in Bristol
Typical (median) annual wage for Rad Techs in the Kingsport · Bristol area · BLS OES May estimates, 2019 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2019, typical Rad Tech pay in Bristol was $45,000 a year. By 2025 it had reached $61,450.
How Bristol compares with other Virginia cities
Arlington pays Rad Techs the most in Virginia at $97,390 a year, $35,940 more than Bristol. The lowest-paying area in the state is Bristol at $61,450.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Bristol | Rad Techs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington | $97,390 | $46.82 | +58% | 3,170 |
| 2 | Richmond | $80,600 | $38.75 | +31% | 1,130 |
| 3 | Charlottesville | $79,560 | $38.25 | +29% | 200 |
| 4 | Virginia Beach | $77,290 | $37.16 | +26% | 1,050 |
| 5 | Radford metro incl. Christiansburg · Blacksburg | $77,110 | $37.07 | +25% | 110 |
| 6 | Roanoke | $75,710 | $36.40 | +23% | 340 |
| 7 | Winchester | $75,630 | $36.36 | +23% | 110 |
| 8 | Bristol | $61,450 | $29.54 | this city | 200 |
Every metro area in Virginia with Rad Tech wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Virginia typical pay $80,670
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, VA?
- 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 Virginia?
- Bristol pay is 24% below the Virginia figure of $80,670 a year, ranking 8th of 8 metro areas in the state. Arlington pays the most in Virginia at $97,390.