Multiple imaging modalities face rising shortage of qualified technologists
New data from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists is offering valuable insight into staffing trends in radiologic technology.
According to the 2025 ASRT Radiologic Sciences Staffing and Workplace Survey, vacancies in multiple imaging modalities are nearing all time highs, even surpassing those recorded in 2020 after the onset of the pandemic. The survey, which was distributed to 18,419 radiology department managers throughout the United States, revealed unfilled CT positions represent the highest vacancy rate; open positions within the modality have risen steadily for several years, highlighting a problematic trend when taking into account the growing demand for CT.
The latest data indicate that the following modalities saw vacancy increases throughout 2024:
CT: up from 17.7% to 19.4%.
MRI: up from 16.2% to 17.4%.
Bone densitometry: up from 6.9% to 16.3%.
On the flip side, several modalities saw position openings decrease during the year, including:
Radiography: down from 18.1% to 15.6%.
Cardiovascular interventional roles: down from 18.6% to 17.4%.
Sonography: down from 16.7% to 12.4%.
Mammography: down from 13.6% to 11.4%.
Nuclear medicine: down from 14.5% to 12.6%.
Similar trends were observed in the ASRT 2024 Radiation Therapy Staffing and Workplace Survey in June 2024. During that time, the vacancy rate for radiation therapy positions sat at 13.6%—nearly four times higher than it was in 2018.
In a statement on the survey’s results, executive Vice President of Member Engagement for ASRT, Melissa Culp, MEd, highlighted the importance of analyzing the workforce shortage in order to develop solutions to address staffing.
“In February 2024, ASRT, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology hosted a Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy with representatives from 18 other radiologic science organizations, which discussed solutions to address workforce shortages,” Culp noted. “To that end, ASRT is taking a multipronged approach to increase recruitment and retention into the profession, including raising awareness via the Be Seen campaign, promoting the profession to middle and high school students and elevating the profession with the ASRT BeRAD Professionalism Award.”
The full survey results, and those from previous years, are available here for a fee.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.