X-ray technicians take X-rays; radiologists interpret them.
There's a big difference between an X-ray technician, also called a radiologic technician, and a radiologist. A technician typically holds an associate's degree, though certificates and bachelor's degrees are also common, while a radiologist is a medical doctor. The big difference in education results in a big difference in salary as well.
X-Ray Technician National Salary
The majority of X-ray technicians work in hospitals, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of 2011, their average mean hourly pay is $26 ("means" describes the average of all salaries), while the median hourly rate is $25 an hour ("median" describes the middle salary, with 50 percent earning less and 50 percent earning more). The mean annual salary is $54,000; the median is $53,000.
10th and 90th Percentile
Location, experience and industry have an impact on how much an X-ray technician earns, according to the BLS. Some technicians have reported earning of as little as $35,000 a year while others get as much as $75,000 a year.
Radiologist National Salary
The national annual average for radiologists as of 2011 is $403,000 a year, according to Salary.com. Radiology is a specialized field, according to RadiologyInfo.org. A radiologist spends many years as a resident in radiology and may continue to a sub-specialty such as pediatric radiology, cardiovascular radiology or breast imaging.
10th and 90th Percentile
While the national annual average is $403,000, there are also highs and lows in this profession, according to Salary.com. The 10th percentile, or the lowest reported earnings for this industry, is $273,000 as of 2011. The 90th percentile, or the highest reported earnings, is $503,000.
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