Radiologist reviewing a radiograph
When you consider the importance of radiology as applied to the medical and health care professions, it is understandable why the related salaries are extremely attractive. Radiology technologists, technicians and radiologists use modern imaging machines to perform important functions that significantly assist in diagnosing and treating many health problems.
Salary Schedule for Radiology Techicians and Technologists
Radiologist reviewing radiographic image.
Salaries for those who are radiology technicians fall into the upper middle class income level. The starting salaries for radiology technicians range from $30,000 during training, to $100,000 after some level of experience is reached. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, in May of 2008 the median annual income of radiologic technologists was $52,210 with the top 10 percent earning more than $74.000. Those working in medical and diagnostic laboratories had the highest median income at $55,210.
What Radiology Technicians and Technologists Do
Both radiology technicians and technologists perform routines called "diagnostic imaging examination." The radiologic technician performs x-rays while the technologist performs more complex procedures such as CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and mammography imaging. Technicians perform duties such as preparing patients for x-rays, ensuring the correct body part or parts are imaged and configure the X-ray machine to produce radiographs (X-rays) of the required quality.
Salary Schedue for Radiologists
Patient in MRI unit.
Radiologists, medical doctors who diagnose and treat diseases using radiologic imaging procedures, earn fairly impressive incomes. For those classified as diagnostic radiologists the average annual income was $379,140. Those classified as interventional radiologists earned an average yearly income of $471,428. These earnings are for the year 2009.
What Radiologists Do
Radiologists (MDs) use technology--computers, medical imaging equipment such as MRIs, CTs and ultrasound--to assist other doctors in diagnosing health-related issues. They play major roles in the diagnosis and follow-up of various cancers. They also employ MRIs, radiographs and ultra-sound to evaluate sports-related injuries.
Future of Radiology Professionals
There is currently a shortage of radiologists, but according to Leslie Winter, MS, RT(R), CEO of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) the opposite exists for radiologic technology positions: "We've flooded the market... our programs are having problems placing students. Their job placement rates are not as good as they were back in '05."
Those interested in radiologic technology should consider Ms. Winter's added observation: "People were looking for career changes or lost their jobs and were looking for a second career," she says. "They flooded to the community colleges, and we saw a huge influx of new programs."
Tags: annual income, Radiologist reviewing, radiology technicians, Salary Schedule, Salary Schedule Radiology
