Radiographers employ the use of technology to diagnose diseases.
Radiologic technologists, or radiographers, perform a variety of duties in the medical sector. Specialization determines the duties of a radiographer. A magnetic resonance imaging technologist employs the use of radio frequencies to produce contrasting images, while mammographers use low-dose X-rays techniques to create pictures of the breast. Nuclear medicine technologists use unstable atoms to identify and treat illnesses. As of 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wages of radiologic technologists and technicians across the nation were $25.59 an hour, or $53,240 a year. Factors such as location, setting and specialty significantly affect the annual salary of a radiographer.
Geographical Location
According to the report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Massachusetts, Nevada, Maryland, Hawaii and the District of Columbia were the top-paying states for radiologic technologists in 2009. Radiologic technologists employed in Massachusetts earned $68,530 a year on average, while Nevada technologists earned $66,420, and those in Maryland earned $65,820. Radiologic technologists in Hawaii earned an annual mean wage of $63,470, and technologists in the District of Columbia earned $63,270 annually on average.
Employment Setting
Scientific research and development services paid the top salaries of any industry segment for radiologic technologists as of 2009, according to the bureau, with an annual average wage of $64,800, followed by management, scientific and technical consulting services, which paid $61,970 annually. Radiologic technologists employed in medical and diagnostic laboratories earned an annual mean wage of $57,250, while those employed in general medical and surgical hospitals earned an average $54,770 per year. Technologists employed in offices of physicians earned an annual mean wage of $50,860.
Specialization
According to a 2010 salary survey conducted by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, magnetic resonance imaging technologists saw a steady increase in salary from 2004 to 2010. A magnetic resonance imaging technologist earned a mean salary of $56,007 in 2004, $61,928 in 2007, and $65,098 in 2010. Nuclear medicine technologists earned averages of $62,269 in 2004, $69,083 in 2007 and $70,822 in 2010. In 2004, mammography specialists earned an average of $49,281, which increaded to $56,605 in 2007, and to $60,263 in 2010.
Full-Time and Part-time Wages
Wages differed slightly based on the number of hours worked. Full-time radiographers work 32 hours or more per week, and as of 2010 earned a mean wage of $61,733, with a median wage of $58,498. Part-time radiographers work less than 32 hours per week and earned a 2010 mean yearly salary of $57,925, with a median of $56,151 annually, per the American Society of Radiologic Technologists salary survey.
Education
The society's survey reported that radiographers with a high school education or certificate earned an average of $54,173 per year in 2010, while those with an associate degree actually earned somewhat less, at $50,800. Those with a bachelor's degree earned $55,063. Master's and doctoral degree produced the highest salaries. In 2010, technologists with a master's or doctoral degree earned $76,803 or $79,833, respectively.
Experience
Average salaries for 2010 were broken down in relation to experience in the society's survey report. Radiographers with two year or less of experience earned $44,439 per year. A radiographer with three to five years of experience earned $44,940, which went up to $51,169 with six to 10 years of experience. Radiographers having 11 to 15 years of experience earned $54,750, and those with 16 to 20 years of experience made $59,396 a year on average. Veteran radiologic technologists with experience of 21 to 30 years of experience earned $60,598 per year, and salary averages went to $64,201 with more than 30 years of experience.
Tags: years experience, experience earned, mean wage, 2007 2010, annual mean