X-rays are produced by machines handled by radiologist techs.
Radiologist technicians use X-rays and other imaging machines to reveal conditions inside a patient's body, often at the request of doctors. Formal training is available from a certificate program, associate degree or bachelor's degree. Most states require some sort of licensing. Voluntary certification is also available from the the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Income
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2009, radiologist techs get a median hourly wage of $25.59, or an annual salary of $53,240. The bottom 10 percent make $17.16, or $35,700, while the top 10 percent receive $36.27, or $75,440. Additionally, the bottom 25 percent earn $20.92, or $43,510, while the top 25 percent make $30.80, or $64,070.
Industry
The industries with the best salaries are scientific research, with pay at $31.16, or $64,800; management, scientific and technical consulting services at $29.79, or $61,970; and employment services at $28.66, or $59,620. These differ from industries offering the most employment, which are general hospitals, with pay at $26.33, or $54,770; doctors' offices at $24.45, or $50,860; and medical and diagnostic labs at $27.53, or $57,250. These figures are as of May 2009.
States
The best-paying employers are located in the following states: Massachusetts, where compensation is at $32.95, or $68,530; Nevada at $31.93, or $66,420; and Maryland at $31.64, or $65,820. However, these states do not have the greatest concentration of techs. The states that do are West Virginia, with pay at $19.91, or $41,400; South Dakota at $21.62, or $44,970; and Kentucky at $22.04, or $45,840. These wages reflect May 2009 data.
Cities
The three cities with the best-paid techs are in California: San Jose, with wages at $37.64, or $78,300, Oakland, at $34.99, or $72,790, and Vallejo, at $33.67, or $70,030. These differ from the cities with the most techs per capita, which are Punta Gorda, Florida, where the salary is at $27.28, or $56,730, Huntington, West Virginia, at $21.47, or $44,660, and Johnson City, Tennessee, at $21.98 or $45,720. These wages are based on May 2009 numbers.
Prospects
The BLS sees employment of radiologist techs increasing by 17 percent from 2008 to 2018. This is much faster than average and will also call for a much faster than average increase in wages. Growth will come from an aging population who will demand increasing use of imaging technologies to diagnose medical conditions. However, insurance reimbursement may ultimately determine the use of such imaging techniques. Those who know more than one imaging procedure, such as mammography and computed tomography, will find the best prospects.
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