Radiological technicians are trained to position patients to get proper exposure of their injuries.
Thanks to x-ray photography, doctors can examine patients' bones, teeth and other hard tissue for damage without performing invasive diagnostic procedures. Radiology technicians -- also known as radiological technologists -- are the professionals trained to administer x-rays to patients in a way that produces clear results and limits their exposure to radiation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 10,780 radiology technicians work in Pennsylvania as of May 2009.
Average Pennsylvania Radiology Technician Salary
In Pennsylvania, radiology technicians earn an average annual salary of $49,750 as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while 50 percent employed in the profession earn salaries between $40,210 and $60,230. The highest-paid 10 percent of technicians in the Keystone State earn $70,550 or more annually. When radiological technicians in the state receive payment as an hourly wage, they earn $24.53 per hour on average.
Average Salaries Around the State
Average annual salaries for radiology technicians vary widely between regions in the state. Technicians who work in Philadelphia earn the highest average annual salaries of $51,560 as of January 2011, according to Salary.com. Radiology technicians employed in Scranton receive the smallest salaries in the state, averaging $45,075 each year. Technicians who live in Pittsburgh earn $46,494 on average each year, while the average salary for those in Lancaster is $47,142. Half of the technicians employed in those four areas receive salaries between $41,276 and $56,468.
Comparison to National Salaries
Radiology technicians in Pennsylvania earn less than many of their counterparts in other states. The average advertised salary for open positions for all radiology technicians in the country is $58,000 as of January 2011, according to Indeed.com. The average salary for technicians in Pennsylvania is only 86 percent of the national average for workers in the profession.
Training and Licensure
Radiological technicians must have at least two years of formal training from an accredited program, although bachelor's degrees in radiology are also available. Education typically covers radiology exposure, anatomy, radiobiology and practical clinical experience. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection licenses radiology technicians to prevent the public's unnecessary exposure to radiation, and the state administers the standard assessment developed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technicians as its licensure exam.
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