X Ray Technician Salary

Chances are you’re interested in an X Ray technician salary because you’re seriously considering your career options in this healthcare field.

You’ve made a great choice!

According to the US Government, employment as a radiologic technician is projected to grow over the next 10 years. Faster than average is defined as an increase 14 to 19 percent. With the current state of the economy, this is very good news!

And if you’re interested in a very stable and high-paying salary in the radiology field, having knowledge of more than one diagnostic imaging procedure—such as CT, MR, and mammography—will offer you the very best employment opportunities.

X Ray Technician Salary Breakout

First, let’s define a few terms – Radiologic technologists and Radiologic technicians Both perform diagnostic imaging examination.

- Radiologic Technicians (X Ray Techs): perform imaging examinations like x rays

- Radiologic Technologists: use other imaging modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and mammography.

The latest figures published show the median annual wage for an X Ray Technician’s salary was $25.59 hourly, or $53,240 annually. The highest paid Radiologic Techs, those in the upper 10 percent, earned more than $74,970. Rad Techs in the middle 50 percent earned a salary between $42,710 and $63,010. Bringing up the rear, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,100.

X Ray Technician Salary By Industry

X ray techs’ salaries vary by the industry employing them. Here are the median annual wages earned in the largest radiologic technologists employment industries:

• Medical and diagnostic laboratories $55,210
• Federal Executive Branch 53,650
• General medical and surgical hospitals 52,890
• Outpatient care centers 50,840
• Offices of physicians 48,530

X Ray Technician Employment Outlook

By the latest figures, Employment in the radiologic career field was around 215,000. Employment of radiologic technologists is expected to increase by about 17 percent in the next decade, faster than the average for all occupations.

Why the increase? As our population gets older, so does the ongoing demand for diagnostic imaging. Unfortunately, as we grow older, so too does our chances for illness and injury. These incidents often require diagnostic imaging for diagnosis.

Besides using radiology to come up with a diagnosis, diagnostic imaging is extremely helpful in monitoring the treatment progress of a disease. With the increasing success of medical technologies in treating disease, diagnostic imaging will increasingly be needed to monitor progress of treatment.

The extent to which diagnostic imaging procedures are performed depends largely on cost and reimbursement considerations. However, accurate early disease detection allows for lower cost of treatment in the long run, which many third-party payers find favorable.

Who’s Paying X Ray Technician Salary?

Hospitals are the principal employer of X Ray technicians. Other employers offering new jobs in this field will be found in physician’s offices and diagnostic imaging centers. As technology advances many imaging modalities are becoming less expensive and more feasible to have in a physician’s office

Job prospects. In addition to job growth, job openings also will arise from the need to replace technologists who leave the occupation. Those with knowledge of more than one diagnostic imaging procedure—such as CT, MR, and mammography—will have the best employment opportunities as employers seek to control costs by using multi-credentialed employees.

Demand for radiologic technologists and technicians can tend to be regional with some areas having large demand, while other areas are saturated. Technologists and technicians willing to relocate may have better job prospects.

CT is continuing to become a frontline diagnosis tool. Instead of taking x rays to decide whether a CT is needed, as was the practice before, it is often the first choice for imaging because of its accuracy. MR also is increasingly used. Technologists with credentialing in either of these specialties will be very marketable to employers.

Final Diagnosis Of The X Ray Tech Career Path

It’s pretty clear that an X Ray technician salary is a pretty good one. It’s also a career field on the grow with many opportunities for further advancement. Experienced technologists also may be promoted to supervisor, chief radiologic technologist, and, ultimately, department administrator or director. Depending on the institution, courses or a master’s degree in business or health administration may be necessary for the director’s position. All-in-all, x-ray tech is a great career choice!