Why consider travel rad tech jobs?
If you’re a radiology technologist looking to add adventure (and higher pay) to your career, the next few years are a great time to start traveling. Hospitals, outpatient centers, and imaging groups across the country are still struggling with staffing shortages—especially in CT, MRI, and interventional radiology. That means there’s consistent demand for travel rad techs who are willing to take short-term assignments, often 8–26 weeks long, in new places.
Travel contracts not only pay more than most permanent staff jobs, but they also come with perks like housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and flexibility to pick when and where you want to work.
What the market looks like in 2025—and beyond
Here’s the good news: the market for travel rad techs is expected to stay strong for the next decade.
- Steady job growth: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% growth (2023–2033) for radiologic technologists—faster than average for all jobs. That’s about 16,000 new openings per year, many of which will need to be filled by travelers.
- High demand in imaging: Vacancy rates for CT and MRI techs remain some of the highest in healthcare, so if you’re cross-trained or planning to be, you’ll have your pick of contracts.
- Travel rates stay competitive: Travel packages currently average around $2,200/week nationwide, and the highest-paying states are offering well above that.
Where to find top opportunities
One of the biggest draws of traveling is the chance to maximize your income while exploring new places. You'll find strong opportunities in the following areas.
- California (CA): Eureka, Northridge, Stockton, Pomona, Lynwood, Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Modesto, Greenbrae, Fremont, Antioch, Indio, Clearlake, West Hollywood, San Leandro, Orange, Fresno, Santa Maria, Inglewood, Tarzana, San Jose, Sacramento, Elk Grove, Redding, Oakland, Mountain View, Gardena, Merced, Carmichael, Sonora, Newman, Monterey, Marysville, Perris, Valencia, Madera, Grass Valley, Napa, Burlingame, San Rafael, Chico
- Ohio (OH): Dayton, Youngstown, Columbus, Chillicothe, Lima, Toledo, Canton, Akron, Lorain, Springfield, Dover, Grove City, Lancaster, Westerville, Zanesville, Washington Court House, Mcconnelsville, Portsmouth, Bellefontaine, Cleveland, Euclid, Middleburg Heights, Beavercreek
- Texas (TX): Austin, Tomball, Arlington, Grapevine, Fort Worth, San Marcos, Georgetown, San Angelo, Victoria, Killeen, Odessa, Boerne, McKinney, Decatur, Corpus Christi, Longview, Midland, Round Rock, Frisco, Prosper, Bedford, Houston, Big Spring, San Antonio, Temple, Wichita Falls, Dallas, Conroe, Graham, College Station, Kingwood, TX, Tyler, Jacksonville, Dumas, Gainesville, Brownwood, Groveton, Hondo, Webster, East Ganado, Early, Coleman, Corsicana, Del Rio, Waco
- New York (NY): Cooperstown, Albany
These locations, particularly major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, and Cleveland, consistently offer competitive opportunities due to their large healthcare systems and ongoing demand for skilled allied health professionals.
For more specific job listings, explore options at Anders Group Allied Health Travel Jobs or browse open positions at Anders Group Browse Jobs.
Trends that matter if you’re planning to travel
If you’re thinking about jumping into travel in the next couple of years, here’s what’s shaping the market:
- Specialty = higher pay. Travelers with CT, MRI, IR, or Cath Lab skills command some of the highest weekly rates.
- Rural and outpatient jobs are rising. More contracts are popping up outside of big hospitals, so being open to smaller towns or outpatient centers can mean better pay.
- AI won’t replace techs. Imaging AI is growing, but scan volume is growing too—meaning techs will stay in demand.
- Flexibility wins. Willing to take night shifts, start quickly, or head somewhere off the beaten path? Those jobs usually come with pay bumps.
How you can prepare now
If you want to make the leap into travel rad tech jobs in the next few years, here are steps you can start today:
- Get certified beyond X-ray. Adding CT (ARRT CT), MRI (ARRT MR), or IR credentials makes you more marketable and increases pay. You can find information on industry-recognized credentials by state at American Allied Health.
- Keep your documents current. ARRT, BLS/CPR, fluoro permits (if needed), and state licenses all need to be ready to go.
- Be location-flexible. Don’t just look at California or New York—consider all the diverse locations within the target markets listed.
- Work with a trusted recruiter. A good travel staffing agency can help you find assignments that fit your lifestyle goals—whether that’s chasing pay, exploring new cities, or a mix of both.
The outlook for travel rad techs
The future looks bright: with steady demand, competitive pay, and plenty of flexibility, travel rad tech jobs are expected to remain one of the most rewarding career paths in allied health. If you’ve been on the fence, now’s the time to start planning your first assignment—so when you’re ready, you’ll have the licenses, certifications, and confidence to hit the road.
Bottom line: The next few years are shaping up to be a great time to travel. Whether your goal is to pay down debt, see new parts of the country, or grow your skills in high-demand modalities, travel rad tech jobs offer a mix of adventure and opportunity that’s hard to beat.
Contact Anders Group today and discover the inspiring excitement and generous rewards that await you on this incredible journey.
Find out about immediate opportunities with Anders Group and tell us… Where Do You Want to Go Today?