January 17, 2007

What Is The Pay And Job Market Like For A Radiographer?


According to the American Society of Radiological Technologists, “radiologic technologists are the largest group of allied health professionals in the country” performing more than 300 millions procedures per year. With that many procedures, it’s no wonder radiographers are in high demand.

The pay scale varies according to the specialty of the radiographer, the place of employment, and the geographic area.




Pay Scale Examples

The top 90th percentile in New York alone averages $63,677 per year with the top 90th percentile in Delray Beach averaging $54,281 per and the top 90th percentile in Atlanta averaging $54,038 per year. To learn more about these figures, check out Salary.com
As the radiographer increases his/her knowledge through hands-on experience and by receiving additional medical training and certification, his/her pay scale increases.

Radiographers, also known as x-ray technicians, earn $39,605 to $53,360 per year, on the average—increasing and decreasing depending on where the radiographer lives geographically—and usually spend their days x-raying bones for fractures and breaks, providing ultrasounds, and performing other imaging procedures.

More advanced radiographers make $50,000 and up per year. Their job titles include, but are not limited to:

  • Cardiovascular And Interventional Radiographers
    Cardiovascular radiographers use specialized x-ray equipment to study the flow of blood to the heart through the blood vessels. To learn more visit the Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers.

  • Computed Tomography Radiographers
    Computed Tomography Radiographers produce 3D images from several flat x-rays to help doctors get a better look at what’s going on inside the human body. This procedure is known as a CT scan. To learn more about CT scans, visit Medi-Rad Associates.

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist
    Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techs use magnets and radio waves to examine the inside of the human body. To learn more visit the Western Journal of Medicine.

  • Mammographers
    Mammographers use x-ray technology to check breasts for abnormalities and cancer cells. To learn more visit Radiology Info Source for Patients.

  • Nuclear Medicine Technologist
    Nuclear Medicine Techs administer radio active drugs to patients then analyze the distribution of the drug throughout the body via gamma camera. To learn more visit the Society of Nuclear Medicine.

  • Radiation Therapy Technologist
    Radiation therapists disburse radiation to kill living cancer cells. To learn more visit the American Society of Radiologic Technologies.



Come back on Friday as we discuss Radiation Therapy: what it is, what it entails, and where you can find work.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello there,
I am a sonographer and radiographer in Australia, and am beginning the tedious task of figuring out what is required (licensing, sponsorship etc.) for me to be able to work in the US.

Do you have any information, or links which may help?

Thankyou!!

Institute of Allied Medical Professions said...

Hi! Thanks for contacting IAMP. Your question is a very delicate one and would be better served speaking with the following:

For Sonography, contact ARDMS (http://www.ardms.org)

For Radiography, contact ARRT (http://www.arrt.org)