A career in radiology can bring high wages.
The health care and medical industry is expect to be one of the fastest growing in the United States. Careers in radiology are becoming increasingly popular, and obtaining a bachelor's degree is one of the best ways to get such a job. Radiologists with this degree have the opportunity to work as technologists or technicians in medical facilities, imaging centers and laboratories and perform tasks related to disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The salary for a person with a bachelor's in radiology can vary depending on several factors.
Qualifications
While a bachelor's degree is not always necessary to obtain a position in the field of radiology, it does offer a very competitive advantage in the job market. Graduates receive classroom and clinical instruction in radiation, physics, anatomy, physiology, imaging, medical terminology, and pathology. Upon completing a bachelor's degree in radiology, technicians are required by federal legislation to gain licensing according to their state's requirements.
Location
The salary for those with a bachelor's degree in radiology will be influenced by the location of the position, primarily due to cost of living in the area and level of demand for the service. For example, West Virginia not only has a relatively low cost of living but also the highest concentration of radiologic technicians. Radiologists there can expect an average of $41,400 a year. However, in Massachusetts, a state with a higher than average cost of living, radiologists make an average annual salary of $68,530. The national average wage of a radiologic technician in the U.S. is $54,180 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Type of Position or Job Performed
A bachelor's degree in radiology prepares an individual for multiple job opportunities, and more education can lead to higher paying positions. Ultrasound technicians earn an annual median wage of $67,670 and MRI technicians can average $61,928 a year. Those who go beyond a bachelor's degree to become fully licensed radiologist M.D.s can expect an average salary of $361,538 a year, according to Radiology-schools.com.
Type of Employer or Industry
Salaries for radiology program graduates may also be affected by the type of organization or business they work for. The most common employers for radiology technicians are general medical and surgical hospitals, and they offer an average salary of $54,770 a year. The next most common positions are offered at physician offices and pay a national mean wage of $50,860 a year. The highest average paying positions in radiology are those offered by scientific research and development companies and organizations. These positions pay a national average salary of $64,800 a year, the BLS says.
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