Radiologic Technologist Jobs in Albuquerque, NM
Radiologic technologists in Albuquerque take X-rays in Downtown hospitals, around-the-clock emergency centers and outpatient clinics, with posted hospital pay from about $28 to $43 an hour. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and how to get licensed in New Mexico.
Current radiologic technologist Openings in Albuquerque, NM
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Radiologic Technologist Work in Albuquerque
Imaging work in Albuquerque follows the big health systems. Presbyterian Hospital Downtown staffs a full X-ray department, and Presbyterian's PresNow 24/7 emergency and urgent care centers on Paseo del Norte and Menaul hire their own radiographers to cover nights and weekends. Lovelace Health System hires imaging staff for its hospitals, from Lovelace Medical Center in Martineztown to Lovelace Westside Hospital across the Rio Grande, and the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center near Kirtland Air Force Base hires radiologic technologists through federal postings.
Outpatient demand comes from Optum's Albuquerque clinics, which post radiology technologist jobs that accept new graduates with a student license. Because New Mexico licenses every radiographer, the state license and ARRT registry are the two things every employer checks first.
Top Albuquerque Employers Hiring Radiologic Technologists
These employers hire radiologic technologists at their Albuquerque sites:
- Presbyterian Healthcare Services - hires Radiologic Technologist I X-ray staff at Presbyterian Hospital and radiographers for its PresNow emergency and urgent care centers.
- Lovelace Health System - the Ardent Health system keeps a diagnostic imaging and radiology job family for its Albuquerque hospitals.
- Optum - Optum NM hires radiology technologists for its outpatient clinics and accepts recent graduates.
- Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center - the New Mexico VA hires diagnostic radiologic technologists, including MRI safety roles, through USAJOBS.
Radiologic Technologist Salaries in Albuquerque
- Entry level: about $24 to $30 an hour for new graduates in clinic and hospital X-ray roles.
- Experienced: roughly $31 to $42 an hour for registered techs with a few years of hospital work.
- Senior and advanced modality: about $45 to $55 an hour, or more than $97,000 a year, for MRI, CT and lead roles.
These are estimates built from posted employer ranges and federal wage data for the Albuquerque metro, where the median radiologic technologist earns about $38 an hour. Advanced ARRT credentials in CT or MRI, night and weekend shifts, and charge or lead duties move pay up, and the federal VA scale pays at the top of the market for advanced modality work.
How to Become a Radiologic Technologist in Albuquerque
You need to graduate from an accredited radiography program, pass the ARRT exam for the R.T.(R) credential, and hold a radiography license from the New Mexico Environment Department's Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Program (MIRTP). New Mexico requires a state license to perform diagnostic imaging, and employers such as Presbyterian list the license and ARRT registration as conditions of hire. Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) runs a JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology degree with screened entry through Coordinated Program Entry, and Pima Medical Institute's Albuquerque campus off I-40 at San Mateo also offers radiography. Most postings also require a current BLS card.
What the Job Involves
Radiologic technologists position patients and equipment, select exposure settings, and capture diagnostic X-rays of bones, chests and abdomens while keeping radiation doses as low as possible. They run portable machines in emergency rooms and operating rooms, check images for quality before the radiologist reads them, and record each exam in the imaging system.
Skills Employers Look For
- ARRT R.T.(R) registration and a New Mexico radiography license
- Current BLS certification
- Accurate patient positioning and radiation safety
- Portable and trauma imaging experience
- Comfort with PACS and digital imaging systems
- Clear communication with anxious or injured patients
Career Path and Advancement
Most Albuquerque techs start in general X-ray at a hospital or a PresNow center, then cross-train into CT, MRI, mammography or interventional radiology by earning advanced ARRT credentials on the job. From there the ladder runs to charge technologist, imaging supervisor and department manager, and some techs use CNM's sonography programs to switch modalities entirely.
Related Careers in Albuquerque
If imaging work interests you, these related Albuquerque roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a radiologic technologist in New Mexico?
Yes. New Mexico requires a state license to perform diagnostic medical imaging, issued by the New Mexico Environment Department's Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Program. Most employers also require ARRT registration in radiography.
How much do radiologic technologists make in Albuquerque?
New graduates generally start around $24 to $30 an hour, experienced techs earn about $31 to $42, and MRI, CT and lead technologists can reach $45 an hour or more. VA advanced modality roles have been posted above $97,000 a year.
Can new graduates get rad tech jobs in Albuquerque?
Yes. Some outpatient employers, including Optum's Albuquerque clinics, accept a New Mexico student tech license and new graduates who certify with ARRT shortly after finishing an accredited program. Hospital roles more often require the full license at hire.
Where can I study radiography in Albuquerque?
CNM offers a JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology degree with limited seats and screened entry, and Pima Medical Institute runs a radiography program at its Albuquerque campus. Graduates of either can sit for the ARRT exam.
What shifts do rad techs work in Albuquerque?
Hospitals and PresNow emergency centers run around the clock, so night, weekend and 10-hour shifts are common, while outpatient clinics mostly run weekday hours. Evening and weekend shifts often pay a differential.
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