Radiography is a core medical imaging technique. X-ray examinations help clinicians evaluate fractures, chest disease, foreign objects and many other conditions. But what exactly is radiography, how does it work, and what does a career in radiologic technology look like? This beginner-friendly guide covers the essentials.
Radiography (also called diagnostic radiography or medical X-ray imaging) uses X-rays — ionizing electromagnetic radiation — to record static images of internal anatomy. Tissues attenuate the beam through absorption and scattering by different amounts: bone usually attenuates more and appears lighter, while air-filled regions usually transmit more and appear darker. Soft tissues appear in intermediate shades of gray.
Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays in 1895, and physicians began using them for medical imaging soon afterward. Explore the history of radiography to learn how it all began.
Radiology is the medical specialty that uses imaging to diagnose disease and, in interventional radiology, to guide treatment. A radiologist is a physician trained in that specialty. Radiography is the technique of recording static X-ray images. The radiologic technologist (rad tech) positions patients, operates equipment and produces images for interpretation by an authorized practitioner.
In a conventional projection examination, image production follows these main steps:
To optimize image quality while minimizing radiation dose, technologists adjust kVp and mAs — the two primary exposure controls. Learn how in X-Ray Physics Made Simple and Radiographic Density & Contrast: The Complete Guide.
Radiography is one type of medical imaging. The first five technologies below produce medical images; radiation therapy is included separately because its primary purpose is treatment, not imaging.
| Technology | Ionizing radiation? | Common clinical applications | How the image or treatment is produced |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-ray (Radiography) | Yes | Chest and skeletal assessment, arthritis, foreign bodies | Transmitted X-ray pattern forms a projection image |
| CT Scan | Yes | Trauma, tumors, vascular disease and acute neurologic assessment | Rotating X-ray measurements create cross-sectional images |
| MRI | No | Brain, spinal cord, muscles, ligaments and tendons | Magnetic fields, radiofrequency energy and signal processing |
| Ultrasound | No | Pregnancy, abdominal organs, blood flow and procedure guidance | Echoes from high-frequency sound waves create images |
| Nuclear Medicine | Yes | Physiologic and molecular assessment with planar imaging, SPECT or PET | A camera detects emissions from an administered radiopharmaceutical |
| Radiation Therapy | Yes | Treatment of cancer | Prescribed radiation is delivered to damage target cells; imaging may guide treatment |
Radiologic technologists (also called radiographers, X-ray techs, or rad techs) are the trained professionals who perform imaging examinations. Their responsibilities include:
Rad techs work primarily in hospitals; others work in physician offices, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and outpatient care centers. It is a hands-on, patient-facing career combining patient care with technical skill.
For exam prep resources, check our ARRT Exam Prep Tips.
See our PRC Rad Tech Exam Prep Guide for Philippines-specific resources.
Career fit depends on your goals, but current U.S. data show continued demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5% growth from 2024 to 2034 for radiologic and MRI technologists combined. May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics report a $80,110 median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians; pay varies by location, employer, experience and role. See our Rad Tech Salary Guide for details.
Radiography uses ionizing radiation and is not risk-free. For an examination that is medically justified and optimized, the expected diagnostic benefit should outweigh the radiation risk. Dose depends on the examination, patient, number of views, equipment and technique; children and fetuses require particular attention because sensitivity and circumstances differ.
| Examination | Effective Dose (mSv) | Equivalent Natural Background |
|---|---|---|
| Chest X-ray (standard adult exam) | 0.1 | 10 days |
| Extremity X-ray (hand, foot, etc.) | <0.001 | <3 hours |
| CT brain (single examination) | 1.6 | 7 months |
| CT chest | 6.1 | 2 years |
| Average annual U.S. natural background | ~3 | 1 year |
These are approximate adult effective doses, not patient-specific predictions. Rad techs apply ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) through appropriate technique, tight collimation, avoiding unnecessary repeats, and occupational time, distance and shielding controls. Digital systems can support dose optimization, but they do not automatically guarantee a lower dose than film-screen; exposure indicators and technique still must be monitored. Routine patient gonadal or fetal shielding is no longer recommended by several U.S. medical-physics and radiology organizations because it can obscure anatomy or interfere with automatic exposure control; local rules and patient-specific circumstances still apply.
Whether you're a student considering rad tech as a career, a patient about to have an X-ray, or just curious about how medical imaging works — welcome to Radiography 101. Explore our site to learn more about X-ray imaging, each imaging modality, and our complete article library.
Try these independent multiple choice study questions based on this article; they are not official ARRT questions. Click an option to check your answer — correct answers turn green, wrong ones turn red.