MRI ultrasound technicians, also known as diagnostic medical sonographers, work in many areas and industries. "MRI" stands for magnetic resonance imaging, one of the most familiar procedures of gathering internal images, besides using the X-ray machine. While ultrasounds are commonly associated with pregnancy imaging and other obstetrics issues, this specialized technology can be used for many other medical conditions and parts of the body. Salaries depend on experience, industry and location.
Salary
As of May 2010, the national mean yearly salary was around $64,000 for MRI ultrasound technicians, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This national average used an hourly wage of about $31 per hour. This average is based on years of experience, the type and amount of educational background and work location.
Top-Paying Locations
MRI ultrasound technicians who work in certain parts of the U.S. can earn more than their counterparts in other areas. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average mean wage for these types of diagnostic imagers was around $77,000 in Colorado, California and Washington. However, the top-paying state was Massachusetts, at an annual mean wage of $80,000 per year. Oregon came in second at an average mean salary of $79,740.
Top-Paying Industries
These high-level diagnostic imaging technicians can work in a wide variety of work settings and industries -- and some pay better than others. As of May 2010, the highest-paying industry for MRI ultrasound technicians was employment services. Diagnostic imagers working in this industry earned an annual mean wage of $73,040, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The next highest-paying industry was professional schools, colleges and universities, with a national median salary of around $72,500. The other top-paying industries included outpatient care centers, company and enterprise management and specialty hospitals.
Other
If you are considering pursuing employment in this field, you have several career paths to choose from. Some industries hire more MRI ultrasound technicians than others. As of May 2010, the industries with the highest levels of employment for these types of diagnostic imaging technicians included general medical and surgical hospitals, physicians' offices and medical and diagnostic laboratories. The median wage for hospitals was $65,000 per year, the mean average salary for physicians' offices was around $65,000 per year and the mean wage for the medical and diagnostic laboratory positions was around $62,000 per year.
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