A radiologist determines a patient's diagnosis by carefully studying test images.
Diagnostic radiologists earn their keep diagnosing a variety of ailments, from broken bones to cancer, by employing non-invasive imaging technology to peer inside the human body. Tools such as positron emission tomography, nuclear cardiology treadmill studies, mammography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging are just some of the procedures a radiologist uses to gather information about a patient's condition.
Average Salary
The average salary of a diagnostic radiologist in California as of May 2011 was $370,031, according to data compiled by CareerBuilder. The job listing website said the average salary range was $263,366 to $452,381.
Compared to National Figures
Diagnostic radiologists in California made more than the national average for all diagnostic radiologists. CareerBuilder reports the average national annual salary at $342,825, with an average range of $243,077 to $419,120.
Benefits
Benefits add over $100,000 of value to a radiologist's compensation package. According to the wage tracking website Salary.com, a radiologist working in California's capital, Sacramento, has a benefit package that includes $4,080 of bonuses, $12,917 of Social Security, $9,310 toward a 401(k) plan, $3,039 of disability insurance, $6,507 of health care coverage, $15,680 toward a pension plan, and $53,440 worth of time off.
Employment Outlook
The outlook for all physicians is expected to be better than most professions. Job opportunities for all physicians is expected to grow by 22 percent in the 10-year period from 2008 to 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The growth is predicted based on America's growing and aging population. Since the risk of cancer increases with age, the need for all radiologists is cited by the bureau as a specialty field that will be in high demand.
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