Radiographer salary 2026/27
Radiographers have one of the clearer career ladders in the NHS, with specialist skills like CT, MRI and reporting moving you up the bands. Here is the pay at each step.
The radiographer career ladder
| Role | Band | Starting salary | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newly qualified radiographer | Band 5 | £32,073 | £2,040 |
| Senior or specialist radiographer (CT, MRI) | Band 6 | £39,959 | £2,430 |
| Advanced or reporting radiographer, superintendent | Band 7 | £49,387 | £2,934 |
| Consultant radiographer, imaging manager | Band 8a | £57,528 | £3,353 |
England, full time 37.5 hours, NHS Pension, tax code 1257L, before shift pay.
Many radiographers move to Band 6 within two to three years, once they have trained in a cross-sectional modality like CT or MRI. Reporting radiographers, who write the formal report on images such as X-rays, are usually Band 7.
Every step in full
| Band and step | Salary | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|
| Band 5, entry | £32,073 | £2,040 |
| Band 5, intermediate | £34,592 | £2,177 |
| Band 5, top | £39,043 | £2,381 |
| Band 6, entry | £39,959 | £2,430 |
| Band 6, intermediate | £42,170 | £2,548 |
| Band 6, top | £48,117 | £2,866 |
| Band 7, entry | £49,387 | £2,934 |
| Band 7, intermediate | £51,932 | £3,078 |
| Band 7, top | £56,515 | £3,309 |
Out-of-hours work
Emergency departments need X-rays and CT scans at 3am, so most diagnostic departments run around the clock. Radiographers may work rotating shifts, paid with unsocial hours enhancements, or be on call, paid with an availability payment plus time for call-outs. A newly qualified radiographer averaging 7 hours of nights or Saturdays and 4 hours of Sundays a week takes home about £2,214 a month, against £2,040 on days.
Therapeutic radiographers, who deliver radiotherapy, usually work more regular hours, often with early and late shifts.
Radiographer pay in each nation
| Nation | Salary | Full-time week | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | £32,073 | 37.5 hours | £2,040 |
| Scotland | £34,544 | 36 hours | £2,167 |
| Wales | £32,557 | 37.5 hours | £2,067 |
| Northern Ireland | £31,049 | 37.5 hours | £1,980 |
Diagnostic or therapeutic?
Radiography splits into two professions at the point of training, and you choose one degree or the other.
Diagnostic radiographers
- Take X-rays in departments, on wards, in theatre and in emergency resus.
- Carry out or assist with CT, MRI, fluoroscopy and mammography.
- Keep radiation doses as low as possible and check every request is justified.
- Flag urgent findings, such as a collapsed lung, to the medical team.
Therapeutic radiographers
- Plan and deliver radiotherapy for people with cancer.
- See patients daily over several weeks of treatment and manage side effects.
- Use imaging to position each treatment accurately.
Qualifying
You need a degree in diagnostic or therapeutic radiography, or a degree apprenticeship, then registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). In England, eligible students can get at least £5,000 a year from the NHS Learning Support Fund.
Related roles: operating department practitioners also work in theatres and resus, and biomedical scientists are the other big diagnostic profession.
Common questions
How much does a newly qualified radiographer earn?
£32,073 at Band 5 entry in England from April 2026, about £2,040 a month before shift pay.
How quickly do radiographers move to Band 6?
Often within two to three years, usually after specialising in CT, MRI or another modality. It depends on posts being available.
What does a reporting radiographer earn?
Reporting radiographers are usually Band 7, £49,387 to £56,515 in England.
Do radiographers get paid more for on-call?
Yes. On-call staff get an availability payment based on how often they are on call, plus pay for time worked when called in.
Is a sonographer a radiographer?
Many sonographers are radiographers who have trained in ultrasound, usually on Band 7, though there are now direct-entry ultrasound courses too.