About 15,000 radiation therapists and 214,000 radiologic techs worked in 2009.
"Radiology therapy" is an accidental combination of two careers, one which can lead to the other: radiologic technologist and radiation therapist. Radiologic technologists typically complete two-year courses of study, usually earning associate degrees, to perform imaging diagnostics on patients, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A technologist who wants to further her career can return to school for one year to become a radiation therapist. Radiation therapists administer radiation to patients with cancer.
Radiologic Technologist National Salary
In 2009, at the time of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics job survey, radiologic technologists were earning about $26 an hour on average across the nation, which comes to an annual salary of $54,000. The top-earning 10 percent made $36 an hour or $75,000 a year while the lowest-earning 10 percent made $17 an hour or $36,000 a year.
Highs and Lows
The national average created by the figures compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is a combination of salaries across the country, which fluctuated dramatically in 2009. While radiologic technologists in Alabama were averaging $21 an hour and $45,000 a year, their counterparts in Maryland were earning $32 an hour or $66,000 a year. Where a person lives has a big impact on the salary she can command.
Radiation Therapist National Salary
The same 2009 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey showed radiation therapists from coast to coast earning an average of $37 an hour or $77,000 a year. The lowest-earning 10 percent were bringing home $24 an hour or $50,000 a year, while the top-earning 10 percent were making about $51 an hour or $107,000 a year.
Highs and Lows
Once again, these national figures are a combination of the fluctuating highs and lows from across the country. In 2009, radiation therapists were bringing in $26 an hour and $54,000 a year in Idaho, and in North Dakota were making $28 an hour and $59,000 a year. Just a few states away, therapists in Colorado were averaging $39 an hour and $82,000 a year. The highest-paid state for radiation therapists in 2009 was South Carolina at $46 an hour and $97,000 a year.
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