Radiographer
The person who actually takes the X-ray, CT or MRI — and gets the image good enough for a radiologist to read.
Save this career to see your personalized pathway in My Senda.
- Typical pay
- €22k–€38k
- Usual education
- FP Grado Superior or degree, depending on country
- Outlook
- Reliable hospital employment without a medical degree.
A day in the life
Positioning patients, running scanners, radiation safety, reassuring people who are claustrophobic or in pain, and constant machine checks.
Ways in
- Bachillerato or FP Grado Medio
- FP Grado Superior in Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine (2 years)
- Hospital placements
- Hospitals, private imaging centres or mobile screening units
What to study at 16
The subjects you choose for the final years of secondary school can shape which degrees, exams and careers are easiest to reach. This is about choosing courses, not choosing a school.
Spain
Bachillerato de Ciencias y Tecnología
Portugal
Ciências e Tecnologias
France
Bac général — spécialités
Germany
Oberstufe — Leistungskurse
Italy
Liceo scientifico
Netherlands
Profiel Natuur & Gezondheid
Exams you'll need
The gates between you and this job, and when each one comes.
Browse all examsSkills that matter
Best courses to take
The study routes that lead most directly into this career.
Diagnostic Imaging & Nuclear Medicine (Grado Superior)
Learn to run X-ray, CT and MRI equipment safely — a two-year route into a well-paid hospital job.
Two years and you are running scanners.
Helpful school subjects: Radiological anatomy, Radiation protection, CT and MRI technique, Patient positioning, Work placement
Places that hire for this
AKH Wien – MedUni Wien
Training and entry-level roles across clinical, nursing and technical teams.
Amsterdam UMC
Training and entry-level roles across clinical, nursing and technical teams.
Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP)
Training and entry-level roles across clinical, nursing and technical teams.
Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka
Training and entry-level roles across clinical, nursing and technical teams.
Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.
Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João
Training and entry-level roles across clinical, nursing and technical teams.
CHUV Lausanne
Training and entry-level roles across clinical, nursing and technical teams.
Clínica Universidad de Navarra
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.
Comunidad de Madrid
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.
Elsan
Hires across clinical teams, from placements to permanent posts.