Diagnostic radiographer

Diagnostic radiographers produce the x-rays and scans that doctors use to diagnose injuries and illness, from a broken wrist in A&E to a CT scan for a suspected stroke. You need an HCPC-approved degree in diagnostic radiography and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. Newly qualified radiographers in NHS England start on band 5 (£32,073 to £39,043 from 1 April 2026) and can move into band 6 and band 7 posts in CT, MRI, reporting or management.

Imaging, patient by patient

The core of the job is general radiography: positioning patients correctly, setting exposure factors, taking the image and checking it is diagnostic. Patients come from A&E, wards, outpatients and GP referrals. You will x-ray people who are in pain, frail, frightened, or unable to cooperate, sometimes on portable machines in intensive care or theatres.

Radiographers also work across other modalities:

• computed tomography (CT), often the busiest scanner in an emergency department
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• fluoroscopy and interventional radiology, assisting with guided procedures
• mammography
• nuclear medicine

Most radiographers build skills in CT early, because it is central to out-of-hours work. MRI, mammography and ultrasound normally need extra postgraduate training. Ultrasound is covered in the sonographer profile.

The job is careful as well as technical. You confirm identity and pregnancy status, justify exposures under radiation protection rules, and keep doses as low as you reasonably can.

On-call and shift work

Imaging departments in acute hospitals run day and night. Radiographers cover evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays through shift rotas or on-call systems. On call, you are available to come in or work through the night when needed, which can mean disrupted sleep. These hours are paid through unsocial hours enhancements or on-call payments; see NHS unsocial hours enhancements.

Working time law sets an average limit of 48 hours a week over 17 weeks unless you opt out in writing, and you are entitled to rest between working days.

Degree and apprenticeship routes

The main route is a BSc (Hons) in diagnostic radiography, applied for through UCAS, with placements in hospital imaging departments. Entry requirements usually include A levels or equivalent, often with a science, plus GCSE English, maths and science. Graduates with a relevant degree can apply for a pre-registration MSc at some universities.

Some NHS trusts offer degree apprenticeships in diagnostic radiography, often recruiting from their own imaging assistants or assistant practitioners. They are advertised as jobs on NHS Jobs.

After graduating, you register with the HCPC and pay the registration fee, which you can claim tax relief on. The HCPC registration guide explains renewals and CPD.

Pay and progression

Band	Typical role	Pay from 1 April 2026 (England)
5	Newly qualified diagnostic radiographer	£32,073 to £39,043
6	Senior radiographer, CT or MRI radiographer	£39,959 to £48,117
7	Reporting radiographer, modality lead, advanced practitioner	£49,387 to £56,515
8a and above	Imaging service manager, consultant radiographer	from £57,528

Reporting radiographers, who interpret images and write formal reports, are a well-established band 7 role after postgraduate training. Scotland’s bands pay more, with band 5 starting at £34,494. London trusts add a high cost area supplement.

On band 5 entry pay (£32,073) your NHS Pension Scheme contribution is 8.3%. The take-home pay calculator shows what you would receive after tax, National Insurance and pension.

Leave and conditions

Full-time NHS staff get 27 days’ annual leave plus eight public holidays on appointment, 29 days after five years and 33 after ten. Radiographers on shift rotas usually take leave in hours. You may be exposed to infectious patients and do heavy lifting, and departments have their own protocols for both.

Checks before you start

The trust will ask for an enhanced DBS check, which costs £41.00 in England and Wales from 5 October 2026, references and an occupational health assessment, including immunisations. Radiographers who trained outside the UK must register with the HCPC through its international process. If you need sponsorship, healthcare jobs on national pay scales need a salary of at least £25,000 or the national pay scale rate if higher; see the Health and Care Worker visa guide.

Radiographers wear uniforms, and if you launder your own, HMRC lets you claim a flat rate expense, backdated for up to four previous tax years. The uniform tax relief guide explains how.

Where radiographers work

Most diagnostic radiographers work in NHS hospitals and community diagnostic centres. Private hospitals and imaging companies also recruit, with their own pay. NHS posts are advertised on NHS Jobs, the NHS Scotland jobs site and HSC jobs in Northern Ireland. Imaging roles are among those listed under allied health jobs, and the therapeutic radiographer profile covers the radiotherapy side of the profession.