Radiology technicians earn wages taking diagnostic images of patients.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most states require that radiology technicians register and obtain licensure, although they may do so by obtaining certification, an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree. The salary of a registered radiology technician varies based on his level of education, as well as how much experience he has, the type of employer he works for and his location.
Average Salary
The average salary of a registered radiology technician was $54,180 as of May 2009, according to data posted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary was $53,240, with technicians that fell in the bottom 10 percent earning less than $35,700 and those that fell in the top 10 percent earning more than $75,440.
Employer
Most jobs for registered radiology technicians were found in general medical and surgical hospitals, where they earned an average of $54,770 as of May 2009 according to the bureau. Techs working in the offices of physicians earned an average of $50,860 a year, and those in outpatient care centers earned an average of $52,950. Wages were slightly higher than average for radiology techs working in medical and diagnostic laboratories or for the federal executive branch at $57,250 and $56,140 respectively.
Advancement
Registered radiology technicians can seek specialty certification in areas such as CT scanning or bone densitometry in order to advance. They may also move on to become radiologic technologists, chief radiologic technologist and/or department administrator. Radiology techs may seek higher wages in industries such as management, scientific and technical consulting services or scientific research and development services, where the bureau states the average salaries were $61,970 and $64,800 respectively.
Location
Massachusetts had the highest salary average of all states for registered radiology technicians as of 2009 at $68,530, according to the bureau. Nevada and Maryland followed with averages of $66,420 and $65,820 respectively. The San Jose and Oakland areas of California were the two highest paying metropolitan areas for techs with salary averages of $78,300 and $72,790 respectively.
Tags: 2009 according, earned average, radiology technicians, registered radiology, 2009 according bureau