Looking At X-Ray Technician Salary Ranges
The BLS puts the average x-ray technician salary between
$42,710 and $63,010, with a median of $52,210 annually.
However, several factors including the experience of the radiographer, his educational qualifications, location and the type of medical facility can heavily affect x-ray technician salary.
Because of this there is significant disparity in the earnings reported at the high and low ends of the scale.
However, several factors including the experience of the radiographer, his educational qualifications, location and the type of medical facility can heavily affect x-ray technician salary.
Because of this there is significant disparity in the earnings reported at the high and low ends of the scale.
| Average X-Ray Technician Salary (Curated Data) | Per Hour | Per Annum | ||
| Low End | High End | Low End | High End | |
| Base Rates | $20.53 | $30.29 | $42,710 | $63,010 |
| Overtime Rates | $30.79 | $45.44 | - | - |
| Yearly Bonus | - | - | $100 | $4,870 |
| X-Ray Technician Salary By Experience (Curated Data) | Per Hour | Per Annum | ||
| Low End | High End | Low End | High End | |
| Beginner/Trainee (0-1 Years) | $12.28 | $20.78 | $25,540 | $43,230 |
| Intermediate (1-5 Years) | $14.43 | $26.84 | $30,020 | $55,820 |
| Advanced (5-9 Years) | $17.04 | $29.06 | $35,450 | $60,450 |
| Senior (10+ Years) | $17.13 | $36.53 | $35,630 | $75,980 |
Among the oldest diagnostic tools of its
kind, X-Ray technology is still incredibly popular for determining
skeletal concerns, making x-ray technician careers among the most
sought after employment opportunities in the medical sector. Pegged for
a stupendous rise in demand, the position boasts of impressive x-ray
technician salary and benefits package, along with job security. Add to
this the myriad of opportunities available for professionals who have
recently graduated from an accredited program and its easy to
understand why there has been a spike in the number of people seeking
information on x-ray technician salary.
Employment prospects for x-ray techs exist in hospitals and diagnostic centers, so professionals find it relatively easy to work in any part of the country which is another factor that contributes to the popularity of the job.
What does an x-ray technician do?
An x-ray technician is responsible for operating the machinery used in x-ray imaging and positioning the patient correctly on the x-ray table to ensure clarity of the images.
Depending on the qualifications that a professional has, he/she may also be required to prepare a report which can then be sent to the physician along with the x-ray for proper diagnosis. Because this technology is primarily used for the diagnosis of bone fractures and trauma related injuries along with other skeletal conditions, most patients who walk into this section of the radiology department are in extreme pain, so it is the job of the x-ray technician to put them at ease and ensure that the positioning movements only cause minimal discomfort when the procedure is being completed.
Normally, x-ray technicians will directly work under radiologists; however, their expertise may also be called for in the ER where trauma cases are frequently handled. The scope for employment in a plethora of medical settings is what guarantees a healthy x ray tech salary.
The educational qualification required to work as an x-ray technician
The educational requirements for the job are truly reasonable given the x-ray technician salary earned by qualified professionals. While it is recommended that people interested in these jobs choose a bachelor’s program that spans over 4 years and will equip the student with all the information and skills needed for the job, a 2 year associate’s program or even a certification course that seldom lasts for more than 6 months can also propel a person into the job market. However, all programs have to be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology.
After completing the course, the graduate will need to take the national certification test. Apart from this, an x-ray technician also has to go for 24 hours of continued study biannually to keep the certification; this ensures that a professional stays abreast of all the technological innovations in the field. The reward for all this effort is the x-ray technician salary that goes with the job; in some cases it is truly impressive.
As the demand for x-ray technicians began to grow and enrollments in training courses started to sky rocket, a lot of exerts believed that the industry would eventually run out of steam and the jobs would dry up. Au contraire, the sector is expected to clock in a whopping growth of over 20% in the next ten years, making a career choice in the field a prudent decision.
X-ray technician salary
X-ray technician salary offered by different types of medical facilities: Although the majority of x-ray technicians work in hospitals, diagnostic centers and clinics, the pay and benefits package offered by different types of medical establishments can vary significantly For instance, most x-ray technicians who work with general hospitals can expect to make about $52,890; however, those qualified to work in specialty hospitals can expect to draw a higher salary at $58,000 or more.
Professionals who work in outpatient care centers earn lower wages than the median salary for x-ray technicians at $50,840. On the other hand, medical and diagnostic centers that hire x-ray technicians pay handsomely with an average salary of $55,210 and above.
Employment prospects for x-ray techs exist in hospitals and diagnostic centers, so professionals find it relatively easy to work in any part of the country which is another factor that contributes to the popularity of the job.
What does an x-ray technician do?
An x-ray technician is responsible for operating the machinery used in x-ray imaging and positioning the patient correctly on the x-ray table to ensure clarity of the images.
Depending on the qualifications that a professional has, he/she may also be required to prepare a report which can then be sent to the physician along with the x-ray for proper diagnosis. Because this technology is primarily used for the diagnosis of bone fractures and trauma related injuries along with other skeletal conditions, most patients who walk into this section of the radiology department are in extreme pain, so it is the job of the x-ray technician to put them at ease and ensure that the positioning movements only cause minimal discomfort when the procedure is being completed.
Normally, x-ray technicians will directly work under radiologists; however, their expertise may also be called for in the ER where trauma cases are frequently handled. The scope for employment in a plethora of medical settings is what guarantees a healthy x ray tech salary.
The educational qualification required to work as an x-ray technician
The educational requirements for the job are truly reasonable given the x-ray technician salary earned by qualified professionals. While it is recommended that people interested in these jobs choose a bachelor’s program that spans over 4 years and will equip the student with all the information and skills needed for the job, a 2 year associate’s program or even a certification course that seldom lasts for more than 6 months can also propel a person into the job market. However, all programs have to be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology.
After completing the course, the graduate will need to take the national certification test. Apart from this, an x-ray technician also has to go for 24 hours of continued study biannually to keep the certification; this ensures that a professional stays abreast of all the technological innovations in the field. The reward for all this effort is the x-ray technician salary that goes with the job; in some cases it is truly impressive.
As the demand for x-ray technicians began to grow and enrollments in training courses started to sky rocket, a lot of exerts believed that the industry would eventually run out of steam and the jobs would dry up. Au contraire, the sector is expected to clock in a whopping growth of over 20% in the next ten years, making a career choice in the field a prudent decision.
X-ray technician salary
X-ray technician salary offered by different types of medical facilities: Although the majority of x-ray technicians work in hospitals, diagnostic centers and clinics, the pay and benefits package offered by different types of medical establishments can vary significantly For instance, most x-ray technicians who work with general hospitals can expect to make about $52,890; however, those qualified to work in specialty hospitals can expect to draw a higher salary at $58,000 or more.
Professionals who work in outpatient care centers earn lower wages than the median salary for x-ray technicians at $50,840. On the other hand, medical and diagnostic centers that hire x-ray technicians pay handsomely with an average salary of $55,210 and above.
Other employment
options: Apart from regular health care facilities, it is also possible
for x-ray technicians to find lucrative jobs in the non-medical
industry and the research sector. For instance, a technician can easily
make up to $56,000 working with the federal executive branch. On the
other hand, professionals working with employment services or in office
administration can draw a salary in the range of $58,000 to $59,500.
However, the development and scientific research sector remains the
highest paying industry for radiographers with an average x-ray
technician salary of $65,000 while technicians in scientific and
technical consulting come in a close second with annual earnings of
$62,000.
The impact of location on x-ray tech salary: San Jose, California offers the highest salary for x-ray technicians at $78,000 while Oakland, Ca comes in the second position with an annual salary of $73,000 followed by Boston, Massachusetts in third place with an average salary of $72,500. In terms of highest paying states, Massachusetts enjoys a significant lead over others with average earnings in the vicinity of $68,500; next in line are Nevada and Maryland which offer average salaries of $66,500 and $65,800 respectively.
How can education help a professional to make a higher x-ray technician salary?
An x-ray technician’s earnings can vary significantly based on the educational qualifications of the professional; for instance, techs with just a certification course to their credit rarely manage to go beyond the range of $30,000 to $50,000. As opposed to this, people with an associate’s degree can expect to make $45,000 to $60,000 while those who complete the four years bachelor’s degree not only have a higher number of job prospects at their disposal but also make significantly more with an average salary of $60,000 to $90,000.
Adding a specialization to your qualification can also help to augment your earnings. For instance, qualified x-ray technicians can also be entrusted the task of supervising advanced imagery procedures such as MRI scans etc. This will make the professional indispensable as far as the medical facility is concerned, opening the doors for better benefits and a higher salary.
Apart from this, there is also a significant difference in the salaries of professionals with varying experience levels. For example, while a person just out of college rarely make more than $25,000 to $35,000 as an x-ray technician, those with ten or more years of experience under their belt can easily draw up to $75,000 per annum.
The employment prospects for x-ray technicians are very bright with a growth of 0.8% in 2011 alone and a strong likelihood of the figure swelling to an astounding 20% in the next decade. As people become more health conscious and the number of elderly patients in the country increases, more professionals will be required to meet the growing imagery needs leading to higher x-ray technician salary. So, starting work on an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in the discipline can be a sound career move.
The impact of location on x-ray tech salary: San Jose, California offers the highest salary for x-ray technicians at $78,000 while Oakland, Ca comes in the second position with an annual salary of $73,000 followed by Boston, Massachusetts in third place with an average salary of $72,500. In terms of highest paying states, Massachusetts enjoys a significant lead over others with average earnings in the vicinity of $68,500; next in line are Nevada and Maryland which offer average salaries of $66,500 and $65,800 respectively.
How can education help a professional to make a higher x-ray technician salary?
An x-ray technician’s earnings can vary significantly based on the educational qualifications of the professional; for instance, techs with just a certification course to their credit rarely manage to go beyond the range of $30,000 to $50,000. As opposed to this, people with an associate’s degree can expect to make $45,000 to $60,000 while those who complete the four years bachelor’s degree not only have a higher number of job prospects at their disposal but also make significantly more with an average salary of $60,000 to $90,000.
Adding a specialization to your qualification can also help to augment your earnings. For instance, qualified x-ray technicians can also be entrusted the task of supervising advanced imagery procedures such as MRI scans etc. This will make the professional indispensable as far as the medical facility is concerned, opening the doors for better benefits and a higher salary.
Apart from this, there is also a significant difference in the salaries of professionals with varying experience levels. For example, while a person just out of college rarely make more than $25,000 to $35,000 as an x-ray technician, those with ten or more years of experience under their belt can easily draw up to $75,000 per annum.
The employment prospects for x-ray technicians are very bright with a growth of 0.8% in 2011 alone and a strong likelihood of the figure swelling to an astounding 20% in the next decade. As people become more health conscious and the number of elderly patients in the country increases, more professionals will be required to meet the growing imagery needs leading to higher x-ray technician salary. So, starting work on an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in the discipline can be a sound career move.
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