X-rays take images of the skeleton and the internal organs.
An X-ray technician (professionally referred to as a radiologic technologist or technician) uses X-ray machinery in a medical setting to generate images of the internal structures of the human body. Working under a radiologist, her images are often crucial in determining the nature of an affliction. Her salary level depends upon several factors.
Average Pay
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics published its latest review of American salaries in 2008. It reports the annual median salary for a radiologic technician as $52,210. However, individuals will receive bonuses and commission on top of this; the exact rate of these will vary from contract to contract.
Pay by Experience
As an individual spends more time employed in her chosen profession, her ability to demand better compensation grows. A December 2010 survey by PayScale found that the average salary for those technicians who had between one and four years of experience is $30,720 to $46,451; in contrast, individuals who had spent 20 years or more as a technician could get $75,987 to $90,000.
Pay by Employer
Hospitals are the most common employer of X-ray technicians. PayScale reports that the average income for technicians contracted to hospitals is between $31,315 to $50,480, as of December 2010. Some technicians work for private companies and PayScale states that these employers offered an average salary ranging from $23,489 to $43,909.
Pay by Location
Various states offer different levels of average salary to radiologic technicians. The December 2010 salary analysis carried out by PayScale determined that California had the broadest set of figures -- between $35,000 and $75,000 -- while Georgia had the smallest, from $29,479 to $41,116.
Training
To become qualified to operate X-ray machinery, an individual must undergo a training course that usually lasts from 21 to 24 months, and is pursued at either an educational establishment or at a medical center. Individuals should have good high school grades, particularly in maths and science, to stand the best chance of acceptance into a course.
Certification
Certification is a good way to increase an individual's attraction to employers, and thus secure the best compensation rates. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists is a voluntary database in which individuals who have passed an ARRT-approved course can append their names. It is recognized as the standard bearer in the industry.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a bright future for the job market, as far as radiologic technicians are concerned. It estimates that demand for their services will rise by 17 percent between 2008 and 2018. This growth in demand should ensure good compensation packages. An individual can enhance her earning potential by learning other medical imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging.
Tags: average salary, December 2010, Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, Labor Statistics, radiologic technicians
