United States Imaging Services Market, By Modality (X-ray, Mammography, Nuclear Medicine Scans, Ultrasound, MRI Scans), By End Use (Hospitals, Diagnostic Imaging Centres, Others), By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 124.56 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.11%
Fastest Growing Segment	Nuclear Medicine Scans
Largest Market	Midwest
Market Size (2031)	USD 158.61 Billion

Market Overview

The United States Imaging Services Market will grow from USD 124.56 Billion in 2025 to USD 158.61 Billion by 2031 at a 4.11% CAGR. The United States Imaging Services Market comprises the delivery of diagnostic and interventional radiology procedures, such as X-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, used for clinical assessment. Growth is primarily driven by an aging demographic prone to chronic conditions and a rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases necessitating frequent monitoring. These fundamental factors ensure sustained demand for imaging volumes distinct from technological trends.

However, the market faces a significant challenge in the form of a critical workforce shortage which restricts operational capacity. A lack of qualified personnel often leads to service bottlenecks and operational delays. According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, in 2025, the vacancy rate for computed tomography technologists rose to 19.4 percent. This staffing deficit constrains the ability of facilities to meet growing patient demand and serves as a substantial hurdle to expansion.

Key Market Drivers

The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning is fundamentally reshaping the United States Imaging Services Market by enhancing diagnostic precision and optimizing clinical workflows. These technologies are increasingly critical for managing the surging volume of medical images and reducing interpretation errors, particularly in complex cases such as oncology and neurology. As developers accelerate the deployment of algorithmic tools, regulatory bodies are processing a record number of applications to support this technological transition. According to The Imaging Wire, December 2025, in the 'FDA AI Approvals Surge Past 1k for Radiology' article, the cumulative number of AI-enabled radiology devices authorized by the FDA reached 1,039 by the end of September 2025, cementing radiology's position as the leading medical specialty for AI adoption.

Simultaneously, the market is undergoing a structural shift toward outpatient and ambulatory imaging centers, driven by the need for cost containment and improved patient access. Healthcare providers and payers are diverting volume away from hospital settings to these lower-cost facilities to mitigate rising expenditures while maintaining service quality. This trend is further catalyzed by financial pressures on reimbursement rates; according to Healthcare Administrative Partners, in 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor at $32.35, underscoring the tightening fiscal environment. Consequently, outpatient operators are capturing a larger share of the market demand. For instance, according to RadNet, November 2025, in the 'Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results' report, aggregate advanced imaging procedural volumes increased by 13.0% year-over-year.

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Key Market Challenges

The critical workforce shortage currently serves as a primary constraint on the United States Imaging Services Market, severely limiting the ability of healthcare providers to capitalize on rising procedure demand. This deficit of qualified professionals creates a functional ceiling on operational capacity, meaning that even facilities equipped with advanced diagnostic technology cannot maximize their utilization. When imaging centers lack the necessary staff to operate complex modalities, they are forced to reduce operating hours or leave equipment idle. This inevitably leads to service bottlenecks, extended patient wait times, and a reduction in daily throughput, directly preventing the market from realizing its full revenue potential despite the strong prevalence of chronic diseases requiring assessment.

The impact of this staffing crisis extends beyond general radiography into high-value specialized disciplines. According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, in 2025, the vacancy rate for magnetic resonance imaging technologists increased to 17.4 percent. Such high vacancy levels in critical modalities mean that facilities often struggle to maintain consistent service availability. This gap between the available workforce and the volume of patients requiring care acts as a tangible brake on market expansion, ensuring that growth remains capped by labor availability rather than patient need.

Key Market Trends

Strategic consolidation and mergers among imaging service providers are accelerating as large organizations seek to expand their geographic footprint and integrate advanced technological capabilities. This trend involves major players acquiring smaller regional practices and niche technology developers to achieve economies of scale and enhance their service portfolios, particularly in specialized areas like breast health. By absorbing these providers, entities can streamline operations and offer comprehensive diagnostic solutions across wider networks. For example, according to Medical Product Outsourcing, April 2025, in the 'RadNet to Acquire iCAD for $103 Million' article, RadNet entered into a definitive agreement to acquire iCAD in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $103 million to incorporate AI-powered cancer detection tools into its outpatient network.

Increased utilization of cloud-based enterprise imaging solutions is simultaneously transforming the market's IT infrastructure, allowing providers to centralize data management and facilitate remote collaboration. Healthcare systems are moving away from fragmented, on-premise storage to unified cloud platforms that support massive data volumes and enable seamless access for radiologists across different locations. This shift not only improves operational agility but also strengthens security and simplifies the deployment of updates across multi-site networks. Highlighting this investment in digital transformation, according to Sectra, November 2025, in the 'Large Health System in Southeast US Adopts Sectra's Cloud Service' press release, the company signed a contract with a major U.S. healthcare provider valued at $45.6 million to implement its fully managed cloud subscription.

Segmental Insights

Nuclear Medicine Scans represent the fastest growing segment in the United States Imaging Services Market due to the rising prevalence of cancer and heart conditions requiring precise detection. This expansion is driven by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approving new radiopharmaceuticals that improve diagnostic accuracy for complex diseases. Furthermore, the increased adoption of combined imaging technologies allows physicians to obtain comprehensive views of body function. Healthcare providers are prioritizing these scans to support early diagnosis and personalized care plans, ensuring the sustained demand for nuclear medicine services across the American healthcare landscape.

Regional Insights

The Midwest stands as a leading region in the United States Imaging Services Market, driven by a unique convergence of demographic demand and advanced healthcare infrastructure. According to industry analysis, this dominance is anchored by the presence of world-renowned medical institutions, such as the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, which serve as national referral hubs for complex diagnostic procedures. Furthermore, the region's significant geriatric population fuels consistent volume for chronic disease management and routine screenings. This high patient influx, combined with a robust industrial base of major imaging equipment manufacturers in states like Wisconsin and Illinois, solidifies the Midwest's status as a primary driver of market innovation and service delivery.

Recent Developments

• In August 2025, Philips announced a $150 million investment to expand its manufacturing and research capabilities within the United States. This capital was directed toward scaling up the production of AI-driven innovations in medical imaging and ultrasound systems to enhance healthcare delivery. The company allocated a significant portion of the funds to its facilities in Pennsylvania and Minnesota, focusing on the development of advanced software and configurations for cardiovascular and general diagnostic applications. This strategic move aimed to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity and support the growing demand for image-guided therapies among North American healthcare providers.
• In July 2025, US Radiology Specialists announced a comprehensive corporate rebranding, changing its name to Lumexa Imaging after seven years of operating under its original title. The Raleigh-based organization implemented this change to reflect its evolving identity as it continued to pursue aggressive growth through the development of new outpatient centers. At the time of the announcement, the group operated more than 180 locations across 13 states and maintained numerous joint-venture partnerships. The rebrand coincided with the company's broader efforts to expand its footprint in the diagnostic imaging services sector and modernize its market presence.
• In November 2024, GE HealthCare entered into a strategic collaboration with RadNet and its digital health subsidiary to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence in the United States imaging market. The partnership focused on integrating the subsidiary’s AI-powered SmartMammo clinical workflow with the manufacturer’s Senographe Pristina mammography system. This cooperation aimed to enhance breast cancer screening by improving operational efficiency and clinical accuracy for imaging providers. The companies also outlined plans to co-develop additional SmartTechnology solutions that leverage data and informatics to address systemic challenges within radiology workflows and the broader care delivery value chain.
• In August 2024, SimonMed Imaging announced the opening of seven new outpatient centers in Florida as part of a significant expansion strategy. The company established these facilities through a mix of acquisitions and new construction projects to increase patient access to advanced diagnostic technologies, including 3T MRI and 3D mammography. Located in key markets such as Sarasota County, Orlando, and Tampa Bay, these centers were designed to provide affordable and accessible care. Additionally, the provider introduced its specialized whole-body MRI service at select locations to help assess asymptomatic patients for early signs of disease using artificial intelligence.

Key Market Players

• American Radiology Associates
• RadNet Inc
• HCA Healthcare
• Tenet Healthcare Corporation
• Envision Healthcare
• DetectIS
• Phoenix Multispecialty Group
• SimonMed Imaging
• Mednax Services
• Imaging Healthcare Specialists

By Modality	By End Use	By Region
X-ray Mammography Nuclear Medicine Scans Ultrasound MRI Scans	Hospitals Diagnostic Imaging Centres Others	Northeast Midwest South West

Report Scope:

In this report, the United States Imaging Services Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• United States Imaging Services Market, By Modality:

• X-ray
• Mammography
• Nuclear Medicine Scans
• Ultrasound
• MRI Scans

• United States Imaging Services Market, By End Use:

• Hospitals
• Diagnostic Imaging Centres
• Others

• United States Imaging Services Market, By Region:

• Northeast
• Midwest
• South
• West