← UK Occupations
🇬🇧 UKSOC 2254· Health Professionals

Medical radiographers

Medical (diagnostic) radiographers operate x-ray machines, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and other imaging devices for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, assist in the diagnosis of injuries and diseases and are involved in intervention procedures such as the removal of kidney stones. They operate under the supervision of senior staff. Therapeutic radiographers specialise in the planning and administration of radiotherapy treatment for patients with cancer.

Medical photographerNuclear medicine practitionerRadiographerSonographerTherapeutic radiographerVascular technologist
£44,324
median salary
£34,077 – £51,309
36,200
currently employed
47,997
projected 2035
Strong growth
10 tasks scored1 AI Automates6 AI Assists3 Human-Led

Task Bundle Breakdown

How AI interacts with this occupation's task bundle

10%
60%
30%
10%
AI automates
60%
AI assists
30%
Human-led

Task-by-Task Breakdown

Every task scored individually — sorted highest to lowest AI exposure

78

maintains records of all radiographic/therapeutic work undertaken

AI Automates

AI-integrated RIS/PACS systems (e.g. Sectra, Philips IntelliSpace) can largely automate record creation, coding, and documentation from structured workflow data with minimal human input.

67

calculates radiation dosage and maps volume to be treated

AI Assists

AI-powered dosimetry software (e.g. Elekta MOSAIQ, Varian Eclipse) can automate dose calculations and volume mapping, though radiographers must verify outputs and apply clinical expertise.

56

assesses patients and interprets clinical requirements to determine appropriate radiographic treatments

AI Assists

AI clinical decision support tools (e.g. Nuance PowerScribe, Sectra) can flag relevant clinical history and suggest imaging protocols, but the radiographer must integrate patient context and exercise professional judgment.

56

decides length and intensity of exposure or strength of dosage of isotope

AI Assists

AI dosimetry tools (e.g. Bayer Radimetrics) can calculate and recommend exposure parameters, but the radiographer must validate these against individual patient factors and clinical context.

56

plans course of treatment with clinical oncologists and physicists

AI Assists

AI treatment planning tools (e.g. Varian Eclipse AI, RayStation) can model and suggest treatment plans, but multidisciplinary collaboration and clinical judgment remain essential for final decisions.

44

verifies identity of patient and ensures that necessary preparations have been made for the examination/treatment

AI Assists

AI-powered patient management systems can automate identity checks and preparation checklists, but physical verification and patient communication remain human responsibilities.

44

carries out post-treatment reviews and follow-ups

AI Assists

AI can flag anomalies in follow-up imaging and prompt review scheduling, but clinical assessment of patient response and side effects requires human professional judgment.

33

uses a range of imaging devices for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes

Human-Led

AI can assist with protocol selection and image quality optimisation, but physical operation of imaging devices requires trained human hands and real-time patient interaction.

22

positions patient and operates x-ray, scanning or fluoroscopic equipment

Human-Led

Positioning patients requires physical dexterity, empathy, and real-time adjustment; AI can guide optimal positioning via augmented reality overlays but cannot perform the physical task.

22

explains treatment to patient and management of any side effects

Human-Led

Explaining treatment and managing patient anxiety requires empathy, trust-building, and responsive communication that AI chatbots cannot reliably replicate in a clinical setting.

ROI Calculator

Medical radiographers

12.6hrs
saved per week
603hrs
per year ≈ 16.1 weeks
£14,849
salary-equivalent capacity freed per year

This is not a pay rise — it's 603 hours of productive capacity that AI could return to you, valued at your current rate.

£31,027
value at risk — 70% of role exposed to AI

The portion of your current salary tied to tasks AI can automate or augment. Not a prediction of job loss — a signal of where your role is changing fastest.

How is this calculated?▾

Task weights — each task is weighted by its O*NET frequency rating. Where frequency data is absent, equal weighting is applied.

AI time reduction — tasks scored as "AI Automates" assume 80% time saving; "AI Assists" assumes 40%; "Human-Led" assumes 5%.

Salary equivalent — annual hours saved × (salary ÷ 1,800 working hours/year).

Value at risk — salary × share of role time in AI-automate or AI-assist tasks.

Figures are indicative estimates for planning purposes, not guarantees of productivity gain or job loss risk.