In addition to the cost of living, geography impacts how much they will be able to make. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS May once more, the following states are where you will find the highest average annual salaries for this particular profession:. The highest paying states are not necessarily the ones that have the highest employment levels.
Those concentration figures are listed from highest to lowest below. The following states have these amounts of registered radiologic technologists BLS May :.
Of course, a salary can only go as far as living expenses allow, so noting the cost of living in these areas is also essential. Notably, these states correspond almost exactly with the top paying states for radiologic technologists. By contrast, the most affordable states were Mississippi, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri—none of which are among the highest paying regions.
The BLS lists the top ten highest paying cities for this profession, and perhaps unsurprisingly, all ten of those cities are in California. The average annual salaries for those cities are as follows BLS May :.
Although the trend for this profession is an expected growth of about 7 percent from to , competition for radiologic technologist jobs will likely still be stiff, particularly in areas with a low concentration of employment. Those who wish to pursue the career successfully should be prepared to work hard in their selected educational program, which means extensive study and networking with other professionals in the field.
Kenneth Parker is a feature writer, poet, and musician living in the Pacific Northwest. His writing on remote work, education, and technology has been published by BustedCubicle. These programs do not include many opportunities for specialization, and will prepare students for entry-level work in the medical imaging field. Specialties in Medical Imaging and Radiography Medical imaging professionals can specialize in using different types of equipment, such as x-ray machines, functional magnetic resonance imaging scanners, electrocardiography machines, and computed tomography scanners, or they can specialize in making images of certain parts of the body, such as the heart, bones, internal organs, or even veins and arteries.
A few possible specialties include: Cardiac Imaging : Images of the heart can be used to predict the likelihood of a heart attack and to diagnose the severity of plaque buildup and other risk factors for heart disease. Images of the heart are taken with an electro-cardiogram machine EKG.
Bone Imaging : The most widely known standard use of x-ray is to take images of potentially injured bones. This uses relatively high doses of x-ray, and requires the use of protective measures like lead aprons and other barriers that prevent the x-rays from damaging sensitive tissue. Brain Imaging : Brain imaging is usually done by a nuclear medicine technologist or MRI specialist, but skull x-rays can be used to diagnose injuries or deformities in the head as well.
Career Growth for Radiologic Technologists Even though finishing a training program to become a radiologic technologist can take as little as six months, moving up into a position with a higher salary or more responsibilities will be difficult without spending more time, which probably means more money as well, on education and training.
How to Choose a Radiology Tech Program Your choice of training or degree program should depend on your long-term career goals. Keiser University. Purdue University HLC. Although this two-year degree program is smart choice itself, becoming a radiologic technologist can lead to personal advancement in the imaging profession.
For example, some radiologic technologists become MRI technologists. Others continue their education by specializing in areas such as computed tomography CT , radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, and mammography.
The best two-year radiologic technologist programs include laboratory time, clinical experience and ensure graduates are ready for certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists AART. Although certification is considered optional, positions in imaging technologies are highly competitive. When your brain becomes inflamed, it becomes significantly harder to focus and memorize material. The x-ray tech school I attended had a Taco Bell seriously right next to it. The few times I did go there for lunch, I would pay the price, total brain fog.
Here is a link explaining this in more depth. Out of all the tips mentioned, if you are not passionate about helping people, then you will not make it through x-ray school, guaranteed. To be completely honest, there are a ton more ways to make a better living then becoming an X-ray tech. BUT, there are few jobs as rewarding and downright awesome as being an X-ray tech. What other career do you start your day helping surgeons operate in the OR, then go to the depart of fluoro, and then finish out the day in the ED?
Pretty much none. Even if you work in a doctors office or do mobile radiography, you are still a fundamental step in proving what is knows as continuity of care. If that does not get your passion juices flowing, then I do not think anything will! When the going gets tuff and it will, passion for our profession will be the only thing that is going to get you to write that page paper and show up to clinicals after a bad day. X-ray tech school and all the drama associated with it is just too hard.
To sum up, radiography school is going to kick your butt so prepare to have your life changes, find some good study habits, start eating healthy, and get passionate!
By Ari Blum — founder Clover Learning. I just got accepted into the rad tech program and I am a mother of 2 kids one 11 yr old and one 4 yr old. Knowing that the schedules vary from one institution to another, my concern is working while in the program. Thank you for this info! I was wondering the best way to prepare for a Radiology Tech school interview. I was wondering what type of questions could I expect?
I have found a lot of information for a Radiology job interview, but not for a Rad Tech program. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
I am currently enrolled in a radiology program, it definitely is no joke. The above text is spot on.
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