A medical radiographer, also known as a radiologic technologist or technician, produces x-ray films of patients for use in the diagnosis of medical conditions. Radiographers prepare patients, operate and maintain equipment, and keep patient records. Some medical radiographers choose to specialize in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or mammography. There are three factors which affect a medical radiographer's earning potential: experience, employer type and company size.
National Salary Data
Radiographers can earn between $36,939 and $50,743 yearly, based on December 2010 PayScale data. These figures represent the 25th through 75th percentile. Bonus accounts for a very small portion of the overall pay structure, between $206 and $1,179. Radiographers who work a lot of overtime can significantly increase their pay. Overtime rates range anywhere from 33 percent to 50 percent more than the standard hourly rate. Health benefits are quite common in this field, with 74 percent of radiographers having access to medical coverage.
Professional Experience
Experience plays a significant role in determining a radiographer's salary, accounting for up to a 50 percent difference. Entry-level radiographers, with less than one year of experience, earn between $15.48 and $20.97 hourly, according to PayScale December 2010 data. The hourly pay rate remains relatively stable until the fifth through ninth years. At this point radiographers earn between $18.46 and $23.78. Individuals with 10 to 19 years of experience can see another increase in salary to between $21.30 and $26.92. Earnings for radiographers peak at between $19.83 and $29.21 for those individuals with 20 or more years of experience.
Employer Type
Although most radiographers are employed by hospitals, jobs can be found in other organizations including nonprofit and private practice settings. Nonprofit organizations offer radiographers the least financial incentive, paying between $17.74 in $19.57 hourly, according to December 2010 PayScale data. Private practice pays slightly better, ranging between $14.74 and $22.60. Note that this range is wider than that of nonprofit organizations, starting at a significantly lower rate. Hospitals pay radiographers the best, anywhere between $17.71 and $23.93 on average.
Company Size
Radiographers seeking employment may wish to look for work in larger companies, because size can account for up to a 50 percent difference in salary. Small companies with 10 to 49 employees offer the lowest earning potential, between $14.46 and $20.40 per hour, according to December 2010 PayScale data. Radiographers can earn slightly more, between $17.79 and $22.67, working in companies with 200 to 599 employees. Large companies, with more than 5,000 employees, offer the best prospects. Here radiographers can earn between $19.58 and $32.43.
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