Limited x-ray
technicians receive special training in the operation and maintenance of special imaging machines.
X-Ray technicians, also known as radiological technicians or radiographers, use various imaging technologies to perform examinations like x-rays and magnetic resonance images Some technicians are classified as Limited x-ray technicians and are permitted by the state of California to perform exams on specific portions of the body, such as the torso or specific extremities. Such professionals prepare patients for exams and maintain relevant equipment and patient records. For individuals interested in the field, competitive salaries can be found in a job market that is expected to grow by 20 percent or more between 2008 and 2018.
Education and Training
The majority of x-ray technician training programs require individuals to earn an associate's degree in the discipline, while more schools are beginning to offer bachelor's programs. High school students considering such a career should take courses in physics, mathematics and biology. Licensing is offered through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Limited x-ray technicians take a California permitting exam relevant to their area of focus, typically in conjunction with their training program. Those who build experience and show competency can become specialists in various areas, such as mammography or bone densitometry, or be promoted to a supervisory position.
Entry Level Salaries in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median wage for various types of California x-ray technicians was approximately $66,000 in 2010. Technicians earning in the 10th percentile of such professionals, and thus likely to be at the outset of their career, earned $39,830 annually. These figures outpaced the national median and tenth percentile figures or $54,340 and $36,510 respectively.
California Metropolitan Areas
Certain California metropolitan areas offer starting salaries that are competitive with the national median salaries. Individuals earning in the tenth percentile in the San Jose area, for instance, earned $54,770 annually. The Salinas, Modesto and Napa areas also offered such wages in excess of $50,000 per year. On the other end of the spectrum, the Los Angeles and Redding metro areas offered entry level annual salaries below $35,000.
Earnings Potential
The higher end of the California pay scale for various x-ray technicians can be quite substantial. For the entire state, those earning in the 90th percentile earned more than $93,000 per year, compared with a national figure of just $76,850. Those working in the San Francisco and San Jose areas earned more than $100,000 annually.
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