Sunday, June 30, 2013

Radiology Technologist: Your Career Options

By Ilse Takahashi


When it comes to the operation of high-tech diagnostic imaging equipment such as x-rays, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, radiology techs are the experts. Many individuals are seeking entry into this career not only because of the job security it offers, but also the enticing figures of the radiology tech salary.

Based on the statistics released by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) during the year 2009, the average annual radiology tech salary was $54,180. Radiology techs that work in the field of research and development are the ones earning the highest averages at $64,800 annually. Other high-paying industries for this career are general medical and surgical hospitals, outpatient care centers, and doctor's offices.

Because the radiology tech career involves a lot of technical procedures, radiology tech salary is something many people are looking forward to. Another reason is that radiology techs perform complex analysis and interpretations on the images they capture so that doctors will have an easier time coming up with the right diagnosis of a patient's condition.

Radiology tech salary can be influenced by a number of factors. Educational background of the radiology tech is major factor - the more detailed your training and education is, the more qualified you are for a higher pay. Ideally, you would want to enroll in an Associate's Degree program for the best training coverage as this will help you gain access to more high-paying job openings.

With sufficient work experience, your radiology tech salary can undergo significant improvements. Remember, you can't expect to instantly receive a high salary or be qualified for a top-level position if you are just starting with your career, even with the best educational credentials. You need to go through the ranks and work your way up as you gain the needed work experience.

If you want to get a good radiology tech salary, you will need to seriously consider getting certified as a radiology tech. The American Registry for Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is the primary governing body that issues certification for radiology techs, and this requires completion of an accredited training program and successful completion of a certification exam. You can significantly increase your market value by becoming a certified radiology tech.




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