jobfacts

Radiographer

Medical radiographers — SOC 2020 2254

Medical (diagnostic) radiographers operate x-ray machines, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and other imaging devices for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, assist in the diagnosis of injuries and diseases and are involved in intervention procedures such as the removal of kidney stones. They operate under the supervision of senior staff. Therapeutic radiographers specialise in the planning and administration of radiotherapy treatment for patients with cancer.

Also calledMedical radiographerDiagnostic radiographerTherapeutic radiographerSonographerUltrasound practitionerAdvanced practitioner sonographerand 18 more titles
Typical full-time pay£48,4002025 Provisional
People in the job44,000across the UK
Demand for workersCritical
New adverts a month965↓ 16%on last year · 195th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025

Half of full-time radiographers earn between £39,900 and £54,800 a year.

What full-time radiographers earn, 2025
£48,400 typical£34,000lowest 10%£39,90025%£55,500top 20%n/ptop 10%
Middle half (£39,900–£54,800)n/p: top 10% not published by ONS
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less than£34,000
Lowest 20% earn less than£38,400
25%£39,900
Median£48,400
75%£54,800
Top 20% earn more than£55,500
Top 10% earn more thanNot published
Typical pay by regionUK median £48,400
East of England£54,800
South West!£50,500
Scotland!£49,200
North West!£49,000
North East!£48,100
London!£47,900
South East!£45,200
West Midlands!£43,600
East Midlands!£41,200
Yorkshire and The Humber!£40,400
WalesNot published by ONS–
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £48,400
East of England£54,800
South West£50,500 (small sample)
Scotland£49,200 (small sample)
North West£49,000 (small sample)
North East£48,100 (small sample)
London£47,900 (small sample)
South East£45,200 (small sample)
West Midlands£43,600 (small sample)
East Midlands£41,200 (small sample)
Yorkshire and The Humber£40,400 (small sample)
WalesNot published by ONS
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £44,300
  • 2024 £45,300
  • 2025 Provisional£48,400
↑ 9.3% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 965 jobs for radiographers are advertised each month. The Department for Education rates demand for workers as critical.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (2 in all)
Show as table
Aug 2026841
Jul 2026885
Jun 2026Not published
May 20261,012
Apr 2026960
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 20261,055
Jan 20261,024
Dec 2025579
Nov 20251,093
Oct 20251,101
Sept 20251,101
Aug 20251,098
Jul 20251,535
Jun 20251,243
May 20251,299
Apr 20251,080
Mar 20251,169
Feb 20251,287
Jan 20251,242
Dec 2024736
Nov 20241,100
Oct 20241,085
Sept 20241,013
Aug 20241,032
Jul 20241,224
Jun 20241,068
May 20241,247
Apr 20241,239
Mar 20241,122
Feb 20241,126
Jan 20241,354
Dec 20231,061
Nov 20231,257
Oct 20231,025
Sept 20231,108
Aug 20231,074
Jul 20231,294
Jun 20231,449
May 20231,384
Apr 20231,264
Mar 20231,558
Feb 20231,572
Jan 20231,459
Dec 20221,325
Nov 20221,612
Oct 20221,704
Sept 20222,016
Aug 20221,611
Jul 20221,841
Jun 20221,625
May 20221,831
Apr 20221,452
Mar 20221,875
Feb 20221,471
Jan 20221,428
Dec 20211,341
Nov 20211,380
Oct 20211,454
Sept 20211,233
Aug 20211,186
Jul 20211,547
Jun 20211,178
May 20211,245
Apr 20211,285
Mar 20211,522
Feb 20211,332
Jan 20211,477
Dec 20201,228
Nov 20201,173
Oct 20201,461
Sept 20201,380
Aug 20201,267
Jul 20201,201
Jun 20201,142
May 2020872
Apr 2020737
Mar 20201,076
Feb 20201,071
Jan 20201,035
Dec 2019734
Nov 20191,041
Oct 20191,022
Sept 2019911
Aug 20191,026
Jul 20191,109
Jun 20191,158
May 20191,139
Apr 2019766
Mar 20191,010
Feb 2019940
Jan 20191,068
Dec 2018640
Nov 20181,064
Oct 2018960
Sept 2018916
Aug 2018815
Jul 2018862
Jun 20181,020
May 2018820
Apr 2018872
Mar 2018952
Feb 2018807
Jan 20181,037
Dec 2017686
Nov 2017866
Oct 2017834
Sept 2017799
Aug 2017903
Jul 2017778
Jun 2017883
May 2017955
Apr 2017907
Mar 20171,027
Feb 2017848
Jan 2017958
Is there a shortage of radiographers?
Critical

The Department for Education rates demand as not high, elevated or critical, using five indicators. This is its 2025 assessment; in 2024 it was elevated.

  • Visas grantedWell above usual
  • Online job advertsWell above usual
  • Wage growthWell above usual
  • Pay against similar jobsUsual
  • Hours workedAbove usual
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
21%against 27% for all jobs
Broader groupFigure for other health professionals, which includes radiographers. DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London535
Birmingham84
Manchester68
Leeds53
Liverpool50
Brighton and Hove47
Guildford45
Glasgow City42
Sheffield41
Leicester40
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where radiographers are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. 208 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from India, Philippines, Nigeria, ranking it 72nd of 313. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
Age of radiographers
2.9%!
24%!
29%!
22%!
21%!
n/p
!Small sample: treat with cautionn/p: too few in the survey to publish
Show as table
16–242.9% (small sample)
25–3424% (small sample)
35–4429% (small sample)
45–5422% (small sample)
55–6421% (small sample)
65+Not published
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent92%
Higher education below degree!7.7%
A levels or equivalent–
Not published
GCSEs or equivalent–
Not published
Other qualifications–
Not published
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent92%
Higher education below degree7.7% (small sample)
A levels or equivalentNot published
GCSEs or equivalentNot published
Other qualificationsNot published

Main employers: hospital activities (62%), other human health activities (20%), regulation of the activities of providing health care, education, cultural services and other social services, excluding social security (8%), photographic activities (4.2%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
92%
as their highest qualification
Registration
HCPC
required for some roles: Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Apprenticeships
3
from level 6, including degree apprenticeships
Apprenticeships take
3 years
typically

Routes in

Radiographer

You can get into this job through:

University

You'll need to do a degree or postgraduate qualification approved by the Health and Care Professions Council to become a radiographer.

Your choice of degree course will depend on whether you want to work in diagnostic or therapeutic radiography.

You may be able to take a fast-track postgraduate qualification over 2 years if you're a health professional or have a relevant degree.

Extra student financial support may be available through the NHS Learning Support Fund.

You can also train as a radiographer in the armed forces. Find out more at:

  • Army
  • Royal Air Force
  • Royal Navy
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 3 A levels, or equivalent, including at least 1 science
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a Diagnostic or Therapeutic Radiographer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This takes 3 years to complete and combines on-the-job training with academic study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Other ways in

Work your way up

You can start as a radiography assistant and work your way up to assistant practitioner. With the support of your employer you may then be able to work and study part-time for a radiography degree and professional qualification.

Volunteering

Volunteering in the NHS is a good way to get work experience in healthcare. It also gives you the opportunity to speak with radiography staff to help you decide whether to train as a diagnostic or therapeutic radiographer.

What you’ll need

  • pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults

Registration and professional bodies

Registration
  • you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council
Career tips

You would be expected to have an understanding of how the NHS values would apply in your work.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in radiography from Health Careers and The College of Radiographers.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for radiographer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Sonographer

You can get into this job through:

University

You will need a degree in a relevant subject like:

  • radiography
  • midwifery
  • nursing
  • science
  • health science

You must also complete a postgraduate certificate or a postgraduate diploma in medical or clinical ultrasound, recognised by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE).

The course is a mix of study and practice, so you will need to have an agreed placement in an approved setting.

Some universities offer a master's course in medical ultrasound as part of a medicine degree.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Apprenticeship

You could do a sonographer degree apprenticeship.

There may be apprenticeship opportunities with the NHS, or with independent and private providers of healthcare services.

The apprenticeship takes a minimum of 36 months to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Work your way up

If you're a health professional like a nurse, midwife, radiographer, doctor or a healthcare scientist, you may be able to take in-service training for medical ultrasound. This will add sonography to your skills.

Courses vary in length and are run by experienced healthcare professionals.

What you’ll need

  • pass enhanced background checks

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the voluntary register of sonographers run by the Register of Clinical Technologists.

If you're already qualified in another healthcare profession you may find it useful to continue your registration with your previous professional body, as employers often require this for entry to jobs.

Further information

You'll find more details about a career in sonography from the British Medical Ultrasound Society.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for sonographer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Apprenticeships

3 for this job
Level 6About 3 yearsDegree

Diagnostic radiographer

You gain
BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography or (where the apprentice already holds a level 6…
Registration
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Employers may ask for
Entry requirements will be stipulated by individual HEIs
Details on Skills England
Level 6About 3 yearsDegree

Therapeutic radiographer

You gain
BSc (Hons) Therapeutic Radiography or (where the apprentice already holds a level 6…
Registration
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Employers may ask for
Entry requirements will be stipulated by Higher Education Institutions
Details on Skills England
Level 6About 3 yearsDegree

Sonographer

You gain
BSc Honours Ultrasound; BSc Honours Medical Ultrasound; BSc Honours Diagnostic Imaging…
Leads to
Society and College of Radiographers
Employers may ask for
Individual employers will set the selection criteria for appointing apprentices; candidates typically will have 5 GCSEs including English and Maths A-C or 4…
Details on Skills England

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • uses a range of imaging devices for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes
  • assesses patients and interprets clinical requirements to determine appropriate radiographic treatments
  • verifies identity of patient and ensures that necessary preparations have been made for the examination/treatment
  • decides length and intensity of exposure or strength of dosage of isotope
  • positions patient and operates x-ray, scanning or fluoroscopic equipment
  • maintains records of all radiographic/therapeutic work undertaken
  • plans course of treatment with clinical oncologists and physicists
  • calculates radiation dosage and maps volume to be treated
  • explains treatment to patient and management of any side effects
  • carries out post-treatment reviews and follow-ups

Skills

  • apply context specific clinical competences
  • apply health sciences
  • communicate effectively in healthcare
  • comply with legislation related to health care
  • comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice
  • conceptualise healthcare user’s needs
  • contribute to continuity of health care
  • ensure safety of healthcare users
  • operate breathing equipment
  • operate heart-lung machines
  • work in multidisciplinary health teams
  • advise on healthcare users' informed consent
  • develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship
  • interpret medical images

Knowledge

  • clinical perfusion
  • health care legislation
  • human anatomy
  • hygiene in a health care setting
  • medical terminology
  • resuscitation
  • clinical imaging techniques
  • emergency surgery

Suits people who like

  • Practical, hands-on work
  • Working with ideas and solving problems

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for health professionals, a group of 24 jobs that includes radiographers.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↑ 19%about 310,000 more jobs
Workers needed by 20351.3 millionincluding people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

jobfacts is independent. It is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Education, Skills England, the National Careers Service, the Home Office, the European Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor.