Radiographers earn competitive salaries working in a variety of settings.
A career in radiography involves employment as either a radiologic technologist or technician, the latter of which requires less training than the former. Both work with diagnostic imaging, such as x-rays and CAT scans, in hospitals and medical clinics under the supervision of physicians. The salaries for these workers vary by experience, the facility and employer and location.
Salary Scale
On average, workers with a career in radiography earn $54,180 a year as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary for these technologists and technicians is $53,240. The salary scale ranges from those in the 10th percentile earning $35,700 to those in the 90th percentile earning $75,440.
Common Industry Salaries
Workers in radiography can be found in medical institutions, offices and laboratories, of which general medical and surgical hospitals have the highest level of employment. Radiographers at hospitals earn $54,770 per year on average, while those in the offices of physicians earn $50,860. In outpatient care centers, the average is $52,950, and in medical and diagnostic laboratories, the average is $57,250. Radiologic techs employed by the federal executive branch earn an average salary of $56,140 a year.
Location-Based Salaries
Salaries for radiography careers vary by state and metropolitan area. West Virginia has the highest concentration of these workers and offers an average salary of $41,400. Massachusetts is the highest-paying state for radiographers at $68,530 annually, followed by Nevada at $66,420. Radiologic techs in the San Jose, California, metropolitan area earn the highest salaries in the country with an average of $78,300, followed by those in Oakland, California, at $72,790.
High Salaries
While employment for radiographers in some industries is more rare, there are higher salaries available. Those in specialty hospitals earn more than those in general medical and surgical hospitals at $58,320 annually. Radiologic techs working in office administrative services and employment services earn $58,360 and $59,620 respectively. In the industry of management, scientific and technical consulting services, radiographers earn an average of $61,970. The highest wages for these workers can be found in the industry of scientific research and development services at $64,800 on average.
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