Radiologic images are developed onto acetate or videon screen.
Radiologic technologists use imaging equipment to produce pictures of the internal structures -- organs, muscles and skeletal system -- of the human body for diagnostic purposes. The primary technology is X-rays, although radiologic technologists often have training and experience in more than one imaging technique. These additional methods include computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging scans. Technologists work under the supervision of radiologists and are assisted by technicians. Salary levels for the role vary according to factors such as location and employer type.
Average Salary
During its May 2009 national employment survey, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that the average yearly salary for a radiologic technologist working in the United States was $54,180, the equivalent of $4,515 a month and $26.05 an hour. In April 2011, pay comparison website Indeed.com published figures that suggested the pay rate had risen in the interim, placing the annual average at $61,000.
Salary by Industry
The bureau's survey also detailed the way salaries for radiologic technologies vary between different sectors of the medical industry. It found that the majority of practitioners worked within general medical and surgical hospitals. The average wage in this sector was $54,770. Positions within the offices of physicians paid slightly less -- $50,860 -- while those in medical and diagnostic laboratories offered a higher average -- $57,250. Speciality hospitals were listed at $58,320, federal government agencies at $56,140 and outpatient care centers at $52,950.
Salary by Geography
The bureau listed Massachusetts, Nevada and Maryland as the states in which, across all industry sectors, a radiologic technologist is likely to achieve the best pay rates, with averages of $68,530, $66,420 and $65,820, respectively. South Dakota was listed at $44,970 while West Virginia had an average of $41,400. Wage analysis website SalaryExpert.com, in a survey of salaries in some large U.S. cities listed Boston, Massachusetts and New York, New York State as the most lucrative locations, with average salaries of $89,233 and $75,554, respectively. Meanwhile, in Florida, Miami was listed at $60,422 and Orlando at $52,711.
Prospects
According to estimates published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for radiologic technologists are expected to increase by around 17 percent through 2018. Across all professions, the national growth rate is not expected to exceed 13 percent over the same time. An expanding, aging population will cause demand for imaging procedures to rise and should mean salary levels for technologist remain competitive. Those with experience in multiple imaging techniques should be best-placed to secure the highest wages.
Tags: Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, Labor Statistics, radiologic technologist
