Like any other profession, the career outlook of a radiologic technologist is just as important. Yes, you can do your studies and earn a certificate to work in the field, but you also need to consider your career outlook to understand better what your future looks like working as a professional in the area.
What Factors Affect Radiologic Technologist Salaries?
The salary for radiologic technologists ranges widely and is a good option for those looking to work in the health care department. Many factors can affect the wages of a radiologic technologist, and one of them is the geographic location of the technologist.
Locations
Although these are the highest-paying states, it does not mean that employability in these states is just as high. Some of these states need more job opportunities for prospective technologists.
According to the May 2020 review by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary range looks like this regarding states:
- Hawaii: $82,990
- Alaska: $78,830
- California: $95,010
- Massachusetts: $79,330
- District of Columbia: $82,270
Urban/rural areas
Where you reside can also be a huge factor in how much your radiologic technologist’s salary will be. Since there are more openings for shins in urban areas, especially for a procession like a radiologic technologist that requires a lot of high-tech equipment, your best-paying job will likely be at a hospital in the city than in a rural tea.
Urban workers will also get paid more than those working in rural areas to compensate for the higher cost of living.
Technological advancements emulating rural areas are also a big reason why more employment opportunities will be open. This career can kick off even in remote areas by understanding that many diseases and deaths in rural areas can be avoided if they have access to more advanced technology.
You no longer have to work in a big hospital in the city. You can still pursue your career as a technologist by working offsite and earning a good living.
Workplace
It also depends on where they work as radiologic technologists. Some of the top industries where you will find good-paying jobs as radiologists are:
- Hospitals; state, local, and private: $77,030
- Offices of physicians: $77,210
- Outpatient care centers: $101,020
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories: $77,580
Experience
Entry-level radiologists get paid much less than those in the industry for a long time, so your salary will increase depending on your expertise in the field. You can also increase your chances of getting hired and paid a higher salary if you have prior experience, not necessarily as a rad tech but in a similar field.
Education
It is not a guarantee that a bachelor’s degree will get you a higher salary than a man’s associate’s degree, but the higher your education, the better your chances of getting certified and employed.
Relevant educational background is always a plus point for employers because they only want the best to work for them. Your career trajectory can look better and brighter if you have much more to offer your employees in terms of knowledge and experience.
Radiologic Technologist Certification
This is highly dependent on the state you are working in. Many states require that you become a Registered Radiologic Technologist R.T. by getting a certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
You don’t need to register in the books, but it is highly recommended. Certification qualifies you as a respectable and legit employee who is what patients and employers want.
However, if you get certified, you must renew your registration every two years to ensure you are legally qualified to run the equipment and procedures.
Radiologic Technologist Career Outlook
According to some studies, the growth of this industry is all set to grow at least 7% by 2029. Hence, the employment of radiologic technologists may increase in the next few years.
Likewise, for a population there, all the boomers will be hit by old age and age-related problems like dementia and Alzheimer’s, and there will be an increase in medical procedures like imaging.
Radiologic technologists will be in demand when this happens because they need people to operate the new technology and assist doctors in the treatment process. The aging population is one factor that will propel the career of radiologic technologists to greater heights.
How to become a certified radiologic technologist?
Different states have different licensing rules and regulations for radiologic technicians. Each state has additional registration requirements; hence, if you want to become a radiologic technologist, you need to check your region’s conditions since there is no national registration procedure for becoming a radiologic technologist.
The main body of the organization that deals with all radiologic technologists is the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). This body offers all aspiring radiologic technologists the chance to register as professional radiologic technologists and the certifications needed in most states.
