Radiologic images may also be used to locate foreign bodies within a patient.
A radiologic technologist performs procedures and examinations in radiology departments under the direction of radiologists to produce accurate images to aid diagnosis of injuries, pathological conditions and lesions inside a patient's body. A radiologic technologist acts upon requests for radiologic procedures and may use technologies such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and bone densitometry. Her salary varies, depending upon her employment situation.
Average Salary
Data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009 determined the mean annual salary for radiologic technologists working in America as $54,180. Calculated by compiling salary data from 213,560 practitioners across the country, this equates to an average hourly rate of $26.05 or a monthly income of $4,515.
Salary by Industry Sector
The BLS employment and wage data classified the salary levels offered by different sectors of the medical industry. It found that scientific research and development services offered the highest average wages -- $64,800 -- followed by consulting services at $61,970. General medical/surgical hospitals and outpatient care centers were among the largest employers of radiologic technologists and offered average salaries of $54,770 and $50,860 respectively.
Salary by Location
Location is also a significant factor in determining the salary of a radiologic technologist working in the United States. The BLS lists Massachusetts, Nevada and Maryland as offering the highest mean salaries as of May 2009 -- $68,530, $66,420 and $65,820, respectively. By contrast, West Virginia and South Dakota were listed at $41,400 and $44,970.
Salary by Experience
Salary comparison website PayScale.com conducted its own survey of radiologic technologist salaries in January 2011. It found that the number of years of experience can affect the salary level. It lists the average wage for a practitioner with less than a year in the profession as between $25,434 and $39,833. One to four years of experience bring an average salary of $30,310 to $43,572, while experience of between five and nine years gives an individual an average salary of $35,508 to $50,814. A radiologic technologist with between 10 and 19 years experience can earn $41,437 to $66,295.
Prospects
The BLS expects demand for radiologic technologists to rise by between 13 and 19 percent through 2018. This increase will primarily be caused by a rise in the average age of the American population as the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age, fueling an expansion in the health-care sector as a whole. As such, salary levels for radiologic technologists should remain competitive in the immediate future.
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