Radiology vs Radiography, What’s the Difference?

Updated January 26, 2026

Radiology and radiography are two important health care professions that use imaging techniques to diagnose and treat diseases. Although they may appear similar, there are distinct differences between the two. Let’s take a closer look at what differentiates them.

What Is Radiology?

Radiology is a medical specialty that uses medical imaging techniques to diagnose and treat diseases. Radiologists are medical doctors who specialize in interpreting medical images, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound and nuclear medicine scans. They are responsible for interpreting the images, providing diagnostic reports, and working closely with other health care professionals to guide patient care.

What Is Radiography?

Radiography is the technique of capturing images using X-rays. It is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses X-ray beams to produce images of the body's internal structures. Radiographers, also known as radiologic technologists or X-ray technologists, are health care professionals trained to operate X-ray machines and position patients to obtain high-quality images. They work under the supervision of radiologists or other physicians and are responsible for obtaining the necessary images requested by the referring physician.

Differences Between Radiology and Radiography

In summary, radiology is the medical specialty that encompasses the interpretation and analysis of medical images, while radiography refers to the technical process of capturing images using X-ray technology. Radiologists are medical doctors who specialize in radiology and interpret a wide range of medical images, while radiographers are health care professionals who perform the actual imaging procedures, often focusing on X-ray techniques.

Education and Job Responsibilities

The distinctions between radiology (radiologists) and radiography (radiographers) are mainly due to two key factors, education and day-to-day job responsibilities.

Radiologist

Education

To become a radiologist, you must first complete a four-year undergraduate degree, followed by four years of medical school. After medical school, you must complete a radiology residency, which typically lasts 4 years. During the residency program, you’ll receive hands-on training in imaging techniques and gain experience interpreting images. After completing the residency program, you may also choose to complete a fellowship program in a specific area of radiology, such as interventional radiology. Radiologists must also obtain a license for each state in which they practice.

Job Responsibilities

A radiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries using medical imaging techniques. They are responsible for interpreting and analyzing medical images, including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds and nuclear medicine scans. Day-to-day job duties of a radiologist may include:

• Interpreting medical images such as X-rays, CT scans and MRIs to diagnose diseases and injuries
• Performing vital functions during exams, such as fluoroscopy, biopsies, surgical cases, and pain medicine cases
• Generating detailed reports based on image interpretations to guide patient treatment plans.
• Collaborating with other health care professionals to provide consultations and insights on patient cases
• Ensuring radiation safety and optimizing imaging techniques to minimize radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic quality

Salary

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for a radiologist in the U.S. was $239,200 in 2023. It's important to note that salaries can vary significantly based on location, experience and sub-specialty, with many experienced radiologists earning considerably more.

Radiographer

Education

To become a radiographer, you must complete an accredited radiography program. These programs typically take 2 years to complete and lead to an associate degree. Radiography programs may include coursework in anatomy and physiology, radiobiology, medical imaging physics and patient care. In addition to classroom instruction, radiography programs include training in hands-on imaging techniques. After completing a radiography program, you must also obtain licensure in the state where you plan to work.

Job Responsibilities

Day-to-day job duties of a radiographer may include:

• Operating imaging equipment, such as X-ray machines, CT scanners and MRI scanners, to capture medical images of patients
• Positioning patients correctly and ensuring their comfort and safety during imaging procedures
• Following established protocols and guidelines to obtain high-quality images for accurate diagnosis
• Assisting radiologists and other health care professionals in performing specialized imaging procedures
• Maintaining and troubleshooting imaging equipment to ensure proper functioning

Salary

According to the most recent data from the BLS, the median annual salary for a radiologic technician in the U.S. was $77,660 in 2024. The salary range often depends on factors such as employer type (hospital vs. private clinic), location and years of experience.

How to Become a Radiographer or Radiologist

In short, radiography is the process of creating images, while radiology is the field that uses those images to diagnose and treat diseases. Radiologists, radiographers and other imaging professionals are all part of a care team that plays a significant role in patient care.

If you’re interested in a career in radiography or radiology, AdventHealth University offers an Associate of Science in Radiography program, as well as our Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology program.

Recommended Readings

What Does a Radiographer Do? Job Duties and Requirements
Sonography vs. Radiography: What’s the Difference?
What is Interventional Radiology?

Sources

Radiologic and MRI Technologists." Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor