With the increasing number of radiographers in demand within the medical field, radiography salary also increases. Medical facilities are looking for radiographers that are experienced, and offering a high salary attracts these experienced individuals. Salaries are not the same in the radiography field; they highly depend upon the education and experience level in addition to the geographic location of the individual.

National Average

According to the American Medical Association, the national average for radiographers who are just out of their education program can expect earn around $41,000 a year. Those who are quite seasoned in the profession can earn upwards of $200,000 and will have an “M.D.” in the front of their name. When just entering the field, there is little to no experience that will increase the salary much further.

Education

The way to earn the highest salary to get the highest education possible, as well as the most experience that you can. Those who specialize in radiography that is more than just the basic x-ray, such as MRI, will also earn higher salaries. Being certified also increases salary. Certification involves taking an exam from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Once certified, your marketability goes up and you are recognized as a certified technician.

There are Radiologist Assistants who get paid even more than certified technicians. This is because they must have a master’s degree in radiology and they take an additional exam by the ARRT that tests their knowledge and allows them to have the title of RA. Attaining the highest education level (master’s degree) while also being certified in a specialization will ensure the highest amount of pay.

Location

Geographic location also plays a significant role in salary. If you live in a location such as New York where the cost of living is higher and the economy is also a bit higher, then you can expect salary to be higher. Consequently, living in a location where the cost of living is lower and economic growth is a bit slower will result in a lower salary.

Job Description

A medical radiographer (also known as an x-ray technician or radiography technician) has the task of setting up x-ray machines that take pictures of patient’s internal body parts. Doctors analyze these pictures in order to determine the type of ailment that a patient has, in addition to tracking the progress of a treatment process. Medical radiographers are in high demand and are very important for ensuring the proper treatment of patients who are admitted into hospitals.

Average Salary

The average medical radiography salary is between $40,000 and $70,000 on a national level. This range varies by education and experience level, as well as geographic location. Radiographers are required to have at least an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in radiography in order to obtain a license. Those who are earning a salary on the lower part of the pay scale will often have the lowest education requirements in addition to little experience.

How to Increase Pay

The way to increase the amount of pay received is by furthering education levels as high as it is possible, which is to receive a master’s. Receiving a master’s degree takes a very long time, but if the passion for radiography is strong enough, then it is well-worth the time and work. Those who are certified in specializations such as MRI or mammography will also be compensated higher than radiographers who are just certified for general x-rays. Radiographers who have higher education and experience levels will be on the higher side of the pay scale.

Location Factor

In addition to education and experience, location plays a key factor in determining a radiographer’s salary. When living in a part of the country that has a higher cost of living, salaries in general will be higher than a city that has a lower cost of living. Additionally, the type of facility determines how high the salary is. In a well-known hospital or clinic, radiographers can expect to earn more than if they worked in smaller facilities.

Job Description

A radiography technician (also known as an x-ray technician) sets up and takes the x-ray pictures and videos for doctor usage. The technician does not interpret the photographs taken by the x-ray machines; they are given to the doctor so they can interpret them and decipher any ailments or abnormalities within the patients’ internal body. These interpretations help the doctor to properly tend to and take care of the patient.

Salary Range

With such an important job description, radiography technicians receive excellent compensation. The national average for the salary ranges from around $49,000 to $73,000. To be on the higher receiving end means having a lot of education and experience, whereas being on the lower end means that the person has most likely just started out in the industry.

Factors that Influence Salary

There are various factors that affect the salary outcome for an individual. Education and experience are the two main factors, but location also skews the national average. In a city with a high cost of living such as Los Angeles, the salaries are all around higher for all types of jobs. A city with a lower cost of living will have an overall lower salary. In addition, the exact location and type of medical facility has an effect on the pay scale. A smaller hospital or clinic will generally pay lower than a bigger hospital, no matter what type of education is obtained.

The highest education attainable is the master’s degree in radiography. Those who have masters’ degrees in addition to certifications in specializations will earn more than someone who is just licensed to practice general radiography. Masters degree holders also have a lot more experience than a person who has just graduated with a bachelor’s or associates degree. This holds true for every occupation.

Benefits

A benefits package is also part of the radiography technician salary. These packages are contingent upon the company, and will vary, but will most likely include dental, health, and life insurance.  Radiographers are in high demand and will often offer a generous package to keep the best and most qualified technicians on staff.

Radiography uses radiation to take photographs or video footage of a person’s body internally. This includes being able to see organs, tissues, and bones, which helps doctors to determine a patient’s ailments and help to cure them. Radiography is also known as taking x-rays. X-rays got their name because the inventor of them (Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen) referred to “x” as the unknown ray that caused a fluorescent screen to stop glowing when a current was passed through a vacuum tube.

Who Uses It?

Doctors use radiography in order to check the internal parts of human bodies. When a patient comes in complaining of pains, more often than not the problem can only be seen through taking x-rays and examining them. Doctors do not take the x-rays, however. They call upon radiologists to set up the machines and to take the X-rays of the patients. Radiologists must go through intensive education and training programs in order to become certified to practice radiography. Most states require radiologists to have a license before being able to work in the field due to the dangerous radiation they will be exposed to. It is important to have knowledgeable workers in the field to avoid problems or accidents within the workplace.

Radiography Process

The process of radiography involves the patient sitting still while an x-ray machine is put up to the body part that needs to be x-rayed. An x-ray beam is then passed through the body; part of the beam is absorbed internally, and the remaining bit gets reflected back to a detector and creates a pattern. This pattern is what is seen and examined by doctors to determine what is ailing the patient, or to check the patients’ treatment process.

Industry Uses

Radiography has many uses in the medical field. It is used in almost every type of practiced medicine, including: dental, mammography, orthopedic evaluations, fluoroscopy, chiropractic evaluations, and prior to invasive surgery to ensure that the markers are in the correct places.

Risks

Radiography can be dangerous if a patient is exposed to it for too long or in too high of dosages. There is a possibility of developing radiation-related cancer or cataracts at a later point in life. In addition, women who are pregnant are advised to not be exposed to any radiation therapy because the beams could harm the unborn fetus and slow its development process.