Diagnostic imaging is an important component of health care.
Radiologists are involved with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries through the use of X-ray technology and radioactive substances. The duties of the head of the radiology department in a hospital, also known as a radiology director, may vary depending on the institution, but typically involve supervision of the staff, equipment, technical operations and procedural protocols of the department. Salary levels for the head of radiology may be based upon a number of factors including job location and experience.
Base Salary
According to Salary.com the base salary for a radiology director ranged from approximately $97,000 to $129,000 as of March 2010. The lowest 10 percent of radiology directors earned less than $85,000 while the top 10 percent received in excess of $144,000. Salary.com pegs the median annual base salary for U.S radiology directors at $112,118.
Benefits
Base salary is the largest component of a radiology director's total compensation, accounting for approximately 73 percent of income. Radiology directors at many hospitals may also expect a cash bonus averaging 1 percent of their base salary, according to Salary.com. Additional compensation comes in the form of employer contributions to government and private retirement programs, health and disability insurance, and paid time off.
Geography
Geographic location plays a significant role in the income of a radiology director, according to PayScale.com. As of March 2010 radiology directors working at hospitals in California averaged between approximately $90,000 and $125,000 while those working in Louisiana and North Carolina earned between approximately $60,000 and $81,000.
Time Frame
The salary of the head of radiology may be significantly affected by her time on the job. According to PayScale.com, as of March 2010, radiology directors with at least five years of experience could expect to earn at least 25 percent more than those with less than five years on the job.
Considerations
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for radiologists is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations between 2008 and 2018. The BLS notes that employment opportunities for radiologists tend to fluctuate by location. Those who are able to relocate may have better job prospects than those who are tied to a particular region.
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