A radiologist uses non-invasive technology to diagnose a patient's ailment.
Radiologists earn their living by employing non-invasive, nuclear and non-nuclear medicine to treat and detect a wide range of illnesses and conditions from soft tissue-damage injuries to life-threatening cancer. Radiologists coordinate their treatment and tests in conjunction with a referring doctor's requests and input. In addition to working with colleagues, the radiologist needs to explain procedures and results to the patient as well as the patient's family. Because of the high level of skill and training needed to become a radiologist, the job pays very well.
Average Salary
The average annual salary of a radiologist in California was $366,815 as of May 2011, according to data compiled by CareerBuilder. The job listing website says the average salary range was $260,071 to $439,768.
Compared to National Figures
Radiologists working in California made more than their counterparts working in other parts of the country. The national average salary was $337,598, according to CareerBuilder. The average wage range was $239,356 to $404,740.
Benefits
Total compensation for a radiologist includes more than just base pay. According to the wage-tracking website Salary.com, the value of benefits for radiologists in California was just short of $105,000 in May 2011. The benefits included $12,917 of Social Security, $9,310 toward a 401k plan, $3,039 of disability insurance, $6,507 of health-care coverage, $15,680 toward a pension, and $53,440 worth of time off.
Employment Outlook
The outlook for radiologists is better than that of most professions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau expects a 22 percent increase in job opportunities from 2008 to 2018, citing a growing and aging population. Specifically, radiologists are expected to be part of a group of doctors that will be in high demand, since cancer risks are higher with the elderly.
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