Georgia doesn't require X-ray operators to be licensed.
Although radiologic technicians, who administer X-ray photography and develop film, are licensed in many states, those who work in Georgia aren't required to receive a state license. Because of that, radiology technicians earn less than those in other licensed health-care positions in Georgia, although many in Atlanta enjoy wages that exceed the national average for their position.
Average Atlanta Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 3,070 radiology technicians work in Atlanta, performing X-ray diagnostics, CT scans or magnetic resonance testing. These technicians earned a median annual salary of $53,800 as of May 2009. The occupation features a wide range of salaries, however, with the middle 50 percent of all salaries ranging from $45,920 to $62,090, indicating that technicians with more qualifications and experience may have much higher earning power than their lesser-trained counterparts. X-ray technicians earn an average wage of $25.63 per hour.
Comparison to National Average Salaries
X-ray technicians in Atlanta earn 11 percent more on average than other radiologic technicians around the country. Around the country, X-ray technicians earn an average annual salary of $48,348 as of Februrary 2011, according to Salary.com. The half of all X-ray technicians with wages closest to the median annual salary earn between $44,272 and $52,949, a much smaller variance than in the Atlanta labor market. X-ray technicians who earn salaries on this level completed training at an associate's degree level and possess voluntary certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technicians and, when necessary, state licensure.
State Oversight and Regulations
Although Georgia doesn't require X-ray operators to be licensed, its laws require all X-ray operators to register their devices with the state Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Protection Division. Regulations require X-ray owners to provide proper radiological shielding for workers, patients and passers-by, and require owners of the X-ray device to meet minimum standards for ownership. At minimum, an X-ray machine owner must hold a bachelor's degree in a scientific or mathematic field. Because state licensure isn't required to operate radiologic devices, many employers require applicants to hold a valid ARRT certification as proof of their competency.
Comparison to Other Atlanta Salaries
Although radiologic technicians must attend a two-year degree program and hold certification to work in many positions in the state, they earn higher wages than many other relatively unskilled workers in Atlanta. In the city, bank tellers receive an average annual salary of $31,925, while administrative assistants earn $48,691 on average as of February 2011, according to Salary Expert.
Tags: X-ray technicians, annual salary, require X-ray, technicians earn, earn average, radiologic technicians
