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How Much Do radiologist techs make an Hour?
The average hourly wage for a radiologist tech is $27.50, but this can vary depending on experience, location, and other factors.
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What Does a radiology tech Do?
Radiology techs help doctors and other medical professionals diagnose and treat patients by taking and processing X-rays. They typically work in hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices, and their duties can vary depending on their employer. Let’s take a look at what a typical day in the life of a radiology tech looks like, as well as how much they make an hour.
Job Description
Radiology techs, also called radiologic technologists, diagnostic radiographers and x-ray techs, use imaging equipment to create diagnostic images of patients’ bones, tissues and organs. They work in hospitals, clinics and private practices, and their duties include positioning patients for exams, operating x-ray machines and keeping records of tests. Some radiologic technologists specialize in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or mammography.
Education and Training
Most radiology tech programs take 2 years to complete, although some take as little as 18 months and some as long as 4 years. At least 1 year of study is typically spent in the classroom and laboratory, and the remainder in clinical settings. requirements for admission to radiology tech programs vary, but most have at least 1 year of college prep courses and some health care experience.college prep courses include math, science, English, and computer science.
Radiology techs must also complete a minimum of 6 weeks of supervised clinical experience in order to graduate from an accredited program. Once they have completed an accredited program, they must then pass a national exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
How Much Do Radiology Techs Make?
Radiology techs are in high demand and the Bureau of Labor statistics shows that the median pay for these professionals was $33.95 per hour in May of 2018. The top 10% of earners made more than $51.48 per hour while the bottom 10% earned less than $22.63.
Salary
Radiology techs are in high demand and can make a good salary. The median pay for radiologic technologists was $61,240 in 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This means that half of all techs made more than this amount, and half made less. Radiology techs who worked in the following industries had the highest median annual wages:
-Outpatient care centers: $64,170
-Government: $63,140
-General hospitals: $62,840
-Offices of physicians: $60,130
The top 10% of radiologic technologists made more than $84,710 in 2018. The bottom 10% made less than $41,750.
Factors That Influence Salary
It’s no secret that radiologic technologists make a pretty penny. But what might not be so well known are the factors that contribute to salaries that can range from $50,000 to $80,000 per year. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:
-Education and Certification: Radiologic technologists must complete an accredited radiology tech program and pass a state-administered certification exam. As with most professions, those with more education and credentials tend to earn more.
-Experience: Gaining experience in the field is one of the best ways to increase your earnings potential as a radiology tech. Those who have been working in the field for 5 years or more can expect to earn salaries at the higher end of the spectrum.
-Location: Just as with any profession, location plays a big role in how much radiologic technologists make. Those working in big cities or metropolitan areas usually earn more than those working in smaller towns or rural areas. This is due, in part, to the fact that big cities tend to have more hospitals and medical facilities, which often means more competition for jobs and higher salaries.
-Specialization: Radiologic technologists who specialize in computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tend to make more money than those who don’t specialize. This is because specialized skills are in high demand and often command higher salaries.
Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for radiologic technologists was $28.96 per hour in 2018.employment of radiologic technologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job prospects should be best for those who have completed an accredited radiologic technology program and who are certified or registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Growth Rate
Radiologic technologists will see a 12% job growth from 2016 to 2026, which is about as fast as average for all occupations. An aging population and improved imaging technology will contribute to the demand for diagnostic imaging procedures, especially x-rays and MRIs.
Related Jobs
There are many jobs that are related to being a radiologist technician. Some of these jobs include:
-X-ray Technician
-Medical Assistant
-Medical Records Technician
-Health Information Technician
-Billing and Coding Specialist
