Medical Radiography 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.