Physicians use images from X-rays and ultrasound to diagnose and check the effectiveness of treatments.
X-ray techs -- more commonly known as radiologic technicians -- and ultrasound techs -- professionally referred to as diagnostic medical sonographers -- are medical professionals involved with producing images of the internal structures of the human body to aid diagnosis of disease and injury. The former use radioisotopes, while the latter utilize ultrasonic pulses of sound. A comparison of salary levels for the two professions can be made using figures produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Average Salary
During its national employment survey of May 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put the average annual salary for a radiologic tech at $54,180, equivalent to $4,515 a month and $26.05 an hour. For a diagnostic medical sonographer, the yearly wage was $63,640, which translates into a monthly income of $5,303 and an hourly pay rate averaging $30.60. Both types of practitioner are likely to receive auxiliary benefits such as pension contributions and health insurance cover.
Salaries by Industry
The majority of both X-ray and ultrasound techs are employed within general medical and surgical hospitals. The BLS lists the average salaries within this sector of the health care industry as $54,770 and $63,770, respectively. For positions within the offices of physicians the rates are $50,860 for X-ray techs and $63,820 for their sonographic counterparts. Medical and diagnostic laboratories paid the former professionals an average of $57,250 and the latter $61,820.
Salaries by Location
The location in which each type of technician practices her vocation will also affect the pay she receives. The BLS found that for X-ray techs, Massachusetts and Nevada were the most lucrative states, with average salaries across all industry sectors of $68,530 and $66,420, respectively. In contrast, West Virginia was listed at $41,400. For sonographers, Massachusetts and Oregon topped the list of states, averaging $78,460 and $78,320, respectively, while Alabama was listed at $50,320. At the level of metropolitan districts, the BLS listed the San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara area of California as the best for X-ray techs -- $78,300 -- and the Santa Cruz, Watsonville area in the same state as the most lucrative for ultrasound techs -- $97,530.
Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts significant growth in employment opportunities for both types of technician in the immediate future. Between 2008 and 2018, it estimates that X-ray technicians will experience growth of 17 percent, while diagnostic medical sonographers should see an increase in demand of 18 percent. The expected growth across all occupations throughout the country is expected to be between 7 and 13 percent over the same period. An expanding, aging population requiring greater numbers of imaging processes will fuel this growth and salary levels should therefore remain competitive.
Tags: X-ray techs, Bureau Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics, diagnostic medical, Labor Statistics, ultrasound techs