Compare Medical Assisting to Other Healthcare Careers

anna giorgi

By: Anna Giorgi

Professional insights:

donald balasa

By: Kendall Upton

Updated: February 10, 2026

Home » Medical Assistant vs. Related Careers » Medical Assistant vs. Radiologic Technologist

MEDICAL ASSISTANT VS. RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST: A COMPARISON

radiologic technologist readying machine for patient radiology testing

Medical assistants and radiologic technologists are two roles that provide crucial services to patients in the healthcare system. While both positions require specialized knowledge and education, they differ in the types of tasks they perform and the level of care they deliver.

Choosing between these two in-demand roles requires knowing how they differ and the responsibilities that each involves. Compare educational requirements, work environments and the potential for career growth to help you decide which profession might be right for you. 

While both medical assistant and radiologic technologist positions require specialized knowledge and education, they differ in the types of tasks they perform and the level of care they deliver.

In this article:

Key differences between medical assistants and radiologic technologists

Medical assistants are multi-taskers who perform both clinical and administrative responsibilities. Their role includes interacting with patients to accomplish a wide range of clerical and hands-on tasks under the supervision of a physician. Medical assistants work to ensure smooth operations and efficient patient care.

Working so closely with patients means that medical assistants encounter people from a wide range of socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. Having traits such as strong communication skills and proficiency in more than one language can be advantageous for medical assistants, said Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA, CEO and Legal Counsel, American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Having traits such as strong communication skills and proficiency in more than one language can be advantageous for medical assistants.

Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, provide specialized services related to medical imaging. They use sophisticated equipment to take medical pictures for screening and diagnosis. Their interaction with patients is typically limited to the time required to prepare them and perform an imaging test.

Since each type of equipment requires technical expertise, radiologic technologists often specialize in one area such as mammography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Their role requires a balance of patience and technical skills as they work with patients to produce a quality imaging study.

Your state’s scope of practice and your workplace will determine the specific tasks you perform as a medical assistant or radiologic technologist. Common responsibilities include:

Medical assistant duties

  • Assist patients at check-in and check-out
  • Prepare patients for examinations and procedures
  • Update and maintain electronic health records (EHRs)
  • Support the supervising physician with exams and minor procedures
  • Collect and prepare blood (phlebotomy) and other samples
  • Prepare and administer immunizations, medical injections and IVs
  • Remove sutures and change wound dressings
  • Perform basic imaging tests such as X-rays and electrocardiograms (EKGs/ECGs)
  • Coordinate patient scheduling, follow-up and referrals
  • Maintain inventory of office and medical supplies

Radiologic technologist duties

  • Communicate with patients about the imaging procedure
  • Calibrate and maintain imaging equipment
  • Sterilize equipment and exam area between tests
  • Follow orders to administer radiation therapy
  • Take patients’ medical histories and evaluate their conditions
  • Ensure radiation safety protocols are followed
  • Position the patient and equipment to produce the correct image
  • Operate the imaging equipment accurately
  • Work with radiologists to evaluate images
  • Maintain detailed patient records and document procedures performed

Work environments

Medical assistants and radiologic technologists are employed in many of the same types of work environments. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 56% of medical assistants work in physicians’ offices. Many medical assistants also work in hospitals or outpatient care centers.

About 60% of radiologic technologists work in hospitals, according to the BLS. Many radiologic technologists are also employed in physicians’ offices, laboratories and outpatient care centers.

Similarities between medical assistants and radiologic techs

Since medical assistants and radiologic technologists both work where patients are seen according to a daily schedule, most days are somewhat predictable. However, you’ll likely have stressful and hectic periods in either role since the needs of physicians and patients can change quickly. Both roles require stamina since their tasks involve standing and physical movement.

Medical assistants and radiologic technologists both require a foundational understanding of medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology. Both professionals work as part of a team with oversight from a higher-ranking licensed healthcare provider.

Educational requirements

Medical assistants and radiologic technologists need a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency with additional education requirements based on where you live. Contact your state board of health, radiology control board or other related governing body for the most accurate requirements.

Some healthcare employers provide in-house educational programs for medical assistants. However, more employers prefer or require formal instruction even though few states require this, said Balasa.

Formal education in medical assisting consists of a certificate medical assisting program at a technical school or community college. This type of program takes about nine months to a year in-person or online. However, both formats typically include an externship or other hands-on practice.

You can also earn an associate degree in medical assisting from an accredited college. Upon completion, you’ll have college credits that may be applicable toward a more advanced degree later.

Radiologic technologists can meet their educational requirements with a certificate, associate or bachelor’s degree, based on state criteria. A certificate program takes about a year, but you will need two years to earn an associate degree and four years for a bachelor’s degree. While online programs exist, all pathways typically require a hands-on clinical internship.

Understand your state’s licensing requirements before you select a program. If you need certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) for state licensure, you must attend and complete an AART-recognized associate degree or higher to apply for this credential after graduation.

Licensure and certification

No state requires that medical assistants earn a license for general practice. However, some states insist that you earn professional certification to perform advanced medical tasks such as drawing blood or administering injections.

Whether it’s required or not, professional certification is proof that you have mastered a set of professional standards. Professional certification in medical assisting covers all aspects of the position. “The medical assisting credentials are mostly applicable across the whole spectrum of healthcare,” said Balasa.

Based on the National Healthcareer Association’s 2024 Industry Outlook, about 78% of healthcare institutions surveyed require certification as a condition of employment for medical assistants. The most common medical assistant certifications include:

Radiologic technologists are bound by state licensing laws in more than 75% of U.S. states, reports AART, the leading credentialing organization in this profession. Some, though not all, states insist that you earn certification as a registered radiologic technologist (RT) through AART to qualify for a license.

When professional certification as an RT is required, you can qualify in one of the following AART primary (early-career) disciplines:

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging–RT (MR)
  • Nuclear Medicine Technology–RT (N)
  • Radiation Therapy–RT (T)
  • Radiography–RT (R)
  • Sonography–RT (S)
  • Vascular Sonography–RT (VS)

Salaries and occupational outlooks

The median national annual salary for medical assistants is $44,200, according to the BLS. BLS data shows that those who work in outpatient care centers and hospitals earn the highest salaries. Through 2034, the employment of medical assistants is projected to increase at an average rate of 12.5%. This is more than three times faster than the average expected growth for all occupations.

According to the BLS, radiologic technologists earn an annual median salary of $77,660, with those employed by outpatient care centers and federal, state and local governments earning the highest salaries. Through 2034, the employment of radiologic technologists is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.3%, slightly faster than the average growth projected for all occupations.

Occupational outlook through 2034

Medical assistant

12.5%

Radiologic technologist

4.3%

Opportunities for growth

Medical assistants and radiologic technologists can use their education and experience to progress to more advanced or specialized roles in related areas iwith potentially higher salaries.

Medical assistants can pursue specialized professional certifications that include:

  • Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)
  • Chiropractic Assistant Certification (CCA)
  • Podiatric Medical Assistant Certification (PMAC)
  • Specialty Certified Medical Assistant in Geriatrics (SCMA-G)

With additional education, a medical assistant can work toward a career as a healthcare administrator, medical records specialist, nurse or physician.

Certified radiologic technologists have the option of earning additional certifications from the AART in the following specialties:

  • Bone Densitometry (BD)
  • Breast Sonography (BS)
  • Cardiac Interventional Radiography (CI)
  • Computed Tomography (CT)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR)
  • Mammography (M)
  • Vascular Interventional Radiography (VI)
  • Vascular Sonography (VS)

Radiologic technologists can pursue more education to qualify for roles as radiology managers, radiology technology instructors, radiology product sales reps or radiologists.

Weighing your options

Medical assistants and radiologic technologists both help people by focusing on different types of patient care. While medical assistants use general clinical and administrative knowledge, radiologic technologists use specialized technical skills.

“An individual needs to look at their ultimate career and life objectives in determining whether to pursue medical assisting,” said Balasa. “Whether medical assisting is a suitable field will depend a lot on answering that question – the question is whether they want to work in a clinical dimension in the future or whether they want to work in more of a front-office position in the future, their decision would depend on their ultimate career objectives.”