Radiologist techs earn wages by preparing and performing imaging exams.
Radiologic technologists take X-rays (radiographs), which are images of the inside of the human body, or perform more complex imaging procedures, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Radiologist technicians may pursue an associate's or bachelor's degree, or they may choose to enroll in a formal training program with a hospital or college for certification. The radiologist's level of education and experience will affect his salary, as will other factors.
Salary
The average salary for a radiologic technician in the United States is $54,180 per year, while the median salary is $53,240 as of 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The bottom 10 percent of earners, which may include techs with less experience, earn $35,700, while those in the top 10 percent earn $75,440.
Levels of Employment
The majority of radiologist techs are employed in general medical and surgical hospitals, earning an average salary of $54,770 per year. The two other industries with the highest levels of employment are the offices of physicians, with an average salary of $50,860, and medical and diagnostic laboratories, with an average salary of $57,250. West Virginia has the highest concentration of radiographers of any state in the U.S., offering an average annual salary of $41,400. South Dakota and Kentucky follow with average salaries of $44,970 and $45,840 respectively.
Highest Salaries
In terms of industry, the highest wages for radiologist technicians is in scientific research and development services at $64,800 per year. Those working in the field of management, scientific and technical consulting services also earn higher than average wages at $61,970. Massachusetts is the highest paying state for radiologist techs at an average salary of $68,530, followed by Nevada at $66,420. The highest paying area in the country is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California, where radiologic technicians earn an annual average income of $78,300.
Work Conditions
The BLS states that most full-time radiologist techs work around 40 hours a week, although they may be on-call nights and weekends. Due to the nature of their work, techs must use lead aprons, gloves and other shields to prevent exposure to radiation. Licensure for becoming a radiologist technician varies from state to state; however, many techs can earn special certification to move ahead in their field. Promotion to positions such as chief radiologic technologist or director will typically result in a higher salary.
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