Radiology Technician Schools

In today’s economy, finding work in a growing career field with solid salary prospects is often the number one priority on any job-seeker’s list. This is a difficult task, but the good news is that a career as a radiology technician meets both of those needs. Entering a radiology career gives you a foothold in the health care field, which is rapidly expanding due to an aging population of baby boomers that will need an increasing amount of health care. Many people find radiology careers attractive because it allows them to enter the health care field and help others without many of the more stressful—or perhaps undesirable—responsibilities of nurses and doctors. Also, radiology is an area within health care that is expected to surge rapidly.

There is projected to be a 17 percent increase between 2008 and 2018 in the employment of radiology technologists, or those radiographers who are qualified to perform the more advanced diagnostic radiology procedures, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This projected growth is faster than the average of all other careers from which the government gathers statistics. Those radiographers who are trained in performing several procedures—such as CT (CAT) scans, MRIs and mammograms—will experience the most career options, the BLS points out.

So why the projected career growth for radiographers? Modern diagnostic imaging is one of the best ways of detecting cancer and other diseases early enough to treat them more successfully. As people age, their risk for certain diseases rises and people are encouraged to be screened more frequently. One example where this is especially true is mammography. Women over the age of 40 are encouraged to get a mammogram every 1-2 years. So as the population ages, namely the especially large population of baby boomers, there is expected to be a greater need for diagnostic imaging and consequently more radiographers. Also, diagnostic imaging allows physicians to monitor the success of treatment, e.g., to ensure that a heart blockage has been removed or to see if and how much a cancerous mass has shrunk after treatment.

Salary Prospects

In May 2008, radiology technologists took home an average salary of $52,210, according to the BLS, which means the average wage for the middle 50 percent was somewhere between $42,710 and $63,010. However, the highest-paid 10 percent took home more than $74,970. In 2008, the five industries employing the largest numbers of radiology technologists were medical and diagnostic labs; the federal executive branch; general and medical surgical hospitals; outpatient care centers; and doctor’s offices. Of those five industries, those employed by medical and diagnostic labs received the highest salaries on average.

It is important to remember that your salary will be based on a number of factors, including how much experience you have and what geographical location in the U.S. you choose to work in. Here’s a helpful tip: The five states where radiographers are paid the most on average are Massachusetts, Nevada, Maryland and New Jersey.