Radiology Technician
Radiology Technician Job Description
Radiology technicians are trained to operate X-Ray machines and take X-Rays of patients. Radiology technicians work in hospital settings as well as out-patient clinics and imaging centers. Working with patients as well as hospital staff is required. Radiology Technicians also work in the veterinary hospitals.
Job skills and duties include operating an X-Ray machine, operating computer technology in conjunction with X-Ray equipment, organizing paper work and patient files, keeping accurate records, communicating clearly to patients and family members under extreme circumstances.
Radiology Technician Salary Statistics as of 2015
Average annual salary for a Radiology Technician is $41013 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest salary recorded was $60494. The lowest salary reported was $25884. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.
Median hourly wage for a Radiology Technician is $20.39 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest hourly rate recorded was $30.08. The lowest hourly rate recorded was $12.87. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.
Bonuses for a Radiology Technician are based on the years of experience using statistics from the U.S. as of 2015. The average bonus recorded was $0 from people with 15+ years of experience. The average bonus recorded was $0 from people with under 1 year of experience.
These are the highest paying states for a Radiology Technician. These numbers are based off the median annual salary as of 2015.
California – n/a
Florida – n/a
Massachusetts – n/a
Ohio – n/a
Pennsylvania – n/a
Tennessee – n/a
Texas – $27,514 – $45,500
These are the highest paying cities for a Radiology Technician. These numbers are based off the median annual salary as of 2015.
Boston, Massachusetts –
Dallas, Texas –
Okemah, Oklahoma –
Miami, Florida –
Phoenix, Arizona –
This chart outlines the average annual salary of a Radiology Technician from the past 5 years. In 2015 the average annual salary was $41013 while in 2007 it was just $38034.74
Specialized Fields
Other specialties that are available in which to gain expertise, and will also serve to increase a radiologic technologist salary, are the following:
• C.T.- Commonly referred to as CAT scan (Computerized Axial Tomography), performs cuts or slices using x-ray through the parts of the body that need to be examined. Newer digital CT machines image in a faster, helical manner; picture a slinky. Slices are thinner with helical CT imaging making a diagnosis more precise.
• M.R.I.- Magnetic Resonance Imaging does not function using ionizing radiation, but rather a powerful magnetic source and radio waves that produce detailed images. MRI’s are particularly adept in soft tissue detail.
• Nuclear Medicine- This modality utilizes radioactive isotopes that are tagged with specific substances, and are then either injected or taken orally into the body. Images are achieved with the use of a scintillation camera, and are then composed in the digital equipment attached to the camera.
• Angiography- This specialty uses x-ray in the form of fluoroscopy(continuous x-ray) to image vessel catheterizations, stent and pacemaker placements. To visualize the work done with fluoroscopy, a radio opaque contrast material is injected into the vessel at the time of the procedure.
Other modalities that are linked to radiology, but require an additional year or two of didactic and clinical training are:
• Ultrasound or Sonography- This specialty does not employ the use of ionizing radiation but rather utilizes high frequency sound waves. Commonly used for scanning of the fetus during pregnancy, harmless sonic waves bounce off internal structures and create accurate diagnostic images.
• Radiation Therapy- Employs the use of a linear accelerator to deliver mega-voltage radiation to planned and specific areas of cancer in the body of a patient. The therapists’ role is to accurately position the patient before the actual treatment and to insure that the proper dosage of radiation is administered during treatment.
Training
Radiology technicians programs usually take two years. Education and training programs are offered in colleges as well as some local hospitals. AART Certification and licensing may be required depending on the state you live in.
Job Outlook
Gender Statistics |
Related Jobs |
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39%
61%
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Based on our stats gathered across the U.S. 39% of Radiology Technicians were males while 61% were females. These numbers are based on averages across all states combined. Some individual states may have a much different ratio however.
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Past Jobs Radiology Technologist |
Future Jobs Radiology Technologist |
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