The technician who handles the x-ray or other radiological devices in a hospital or other medical setting plays a critical role in helping to diagnose and detect potential problems in the human body. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in its 2010-2011 occupational handbook, estimates that there were 214,700 such technicians in the United States in 2008. By 2018 this number is projected to grow by 17 percent, faster than average. The average salary that a radiologist technician earns varies depending on where he works and lives.
National Average
The average salary for a radiologist technician is $26.05 an hour, thus making an average annual salary of $54,180. Of course, this can vary by individual. Technicians in the top 90th percentile can make an average of $75,440 a year, while this plummets to $35,700 for those in the bottom 10th percentile.
Employment by Industry
The vast majority of radiologist technicians --- an estimated 59 percent --- works in general medical or surgical hospitals. This is followed by offices of physicians, medical and diagnostic labs, outpatient care centers and the federal government. In hospitals, technicians rake in an average annual salary of $54,770. Meanwhile, those in offices of physicians ring in at $50,860; laboratories at $57,250; outpatient care centers at $52,950; and the federal government at $56,140.
Salary by Industries
The top five highest-paying employers for radiologist technicians are scientific research companies, scientific and technical consulting companies, employment services, office administrative services and specialty hospitals. These pay a respective average salary of $64,800 at research companies; $61,970 at scientific consulting companies; $59,620 at employment services companies; $58,360 at office administration companies; and $58,320 at specialty hospitals like cancer treatment facilities.
States
The top three states that employ the most radiologist technicians are Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia. The average salaries in these states are $48,960 in Tennessee, $45,840 in Kentucky and $41,400 in West Virginia. Meanwhile, the top three highest-paying states for radiologist technicians are Massachusetts at $68,530; Nevada at $66,420; and Maryland at $65,820.
Tags: radiologist technicians, average salary, annual salary, average annual, average annual salary, care centers, care centers federal