MRI technologists must train for several years.
Due to the rising number of Americans in need of medical assistance, a careerradiographeradiographer is a promising endeavor. Radiology employment opportunities are available and are quite lucrative. An MRI radiographer's job is very precise and requires special training. A medical certification is not required, but a bachelor's degree and at least two years of experience in a related field are mandatory. A radiologist in the United States must be registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (A.R.R.T.).
MRI Technologist
A radiology technologist is different from a radiologist, who is the doctor that writes the interpretations or the medical report based on the films produced by the radiographer. An MRI radiographer, also known as a medical radiation technologist, operates a magnetic resonance scanner to produce cross-sectional images of a patient's body for diagnostic purposes. An MRI image is a 2-D or 3-D map of various tissue types within the body. These images are used by physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies. An MRI radiographer selects the appropriate imaging techniques and operates the associated equipment. He is responsible for entering and monitoring patient history as well as all the specifics of the image process into the computer.
Median Salary
According to a market pricing report prepared by Certified Compensation Professionals from data collected through thousands of HR departments, the median salary for a typical MRI technologist in the United States at the end of 2010 stood at $64,778. Twenty-five percent of MRI technicians bring home $70,205; 10 percent make $75,145. A different survey by SalaryExpert.com reports the average salary in the country as $67,458.
Salaries Differ from State to State
Salaries for MRI radiographers differ slightly from state to state. As of June 2011, the median salary in New York City stands at $76,892; where 25 percent make $83,333 and 10 percent earn $89,197. In California, the average salary for an MRI technologist comes in at $71,000; in Atlanta, salaries are 3 percent higher than the average and stand at $69,000. An MRI technologist in Dallas, on the other hand, makes 4 percent lower than the average and comes home with only $64,000.
Radiology Managers
A diagnositc radiology manager, who directs and manages operational activities of an assigned diagnostic radiology staff and is responsible for quality radiology services in accordance with a physician's request, averages a salary of $106,449.
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