A X-ray technician works under the supervision of a radiologist.
X-ray technicians--also known as radiologic technicians--hold a crucial position in health care. They operate X-ray equipment to produce images of internal structures in the human body, which enable physicians to make diagnoses. Technicians explain the procedure to patients, position them in the X-ray facility, operate the machinery and process the images onto film or video screen. They may work during an emergency to determine the extent of an injury or provide post-operative images to monitor the efficacy of a treatment. Salaries reflect the skills involved in the role.
Average Salary
A Bureau of Labor Statistics salary survey in 2009 calculated that the average yearly wage for an X-ray technician working in the United States was $54,180. This equates to a monthly pay packet of $4,515 and an average hourly rate of $26.05. The average salary among the top 10 percent of practitioners was reported to be $75,440 while the rate among X-ray technicians in the lowest-earning 10 percent bracket was listed as $35,700.
Salary by Industry
Salary levels for the profession vary according to the sector of the health-care industry in which an X-ray technician works. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that scientific research and development services offered the best compensation levels, $64,800. Specialty hospitals were listed at $58,320 while general medical and surgical hospitals offered $54,770. Medical and diagnostic laboratories were listed at $57,250, outpatient care centers at $52,950 and positions within the private offices of physicians paid an average annual salary of $50,860.
Salary by Geography
Geographical location also plays a significant role in determining X-ray technician salaries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists Massachusetts as offering the best rates across all industry sectors-- $68,530 in May 2009--compared with $41,400 in West Virginia. At the metropolitan level, the BLS listed the San Jose-Sunnyvale- Santa Clara district of California as the most lucrative-- $78,300-- compared with just $40,190 in Wheeling, West Virginia. Wage comparison website SalaryExpert, in a survey of major U.S. cities in March 2011, found that New York City was among the best-paying at $69,065, well ahead of Orlando, Florida, where wages were just $48,183.
Training
To become an X-ray technician and begin earning the salaries available to the profession an individual must undertake specialist training and be awarded a license. Training programs, offered by hospitals and colleges, typically last two years and lead to an associate degree. Four-year courses leading to a bachelor's degree are also available. Students study radiologic technology and safety as well as anatomy, physiology and medical ethics. To practice a candidate must obtain a license from a state licensing board. Requirements vary among states but usually consist of attendance at a recognized program and a written examination. Most states demand that a candidate undertake continuing education throughout his career to maintain licensure.
Hours and Benefits
An X-ray technician can expect to work an average of 40 hours per week. However, because X-ray technology is often vital in emergency situations, technicians can expect to fulfill a certain amount of weekend and on-call hours. Besides basic salary, an X-ray technician may receive benefits such as paid vacations, health insurance coverage and pension contributions.
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