Radiography Salary
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.
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