Radiologic technologists’ salaries are rising
The average salary of a radiologic technologist jumped by 5.3% over the past three years, according to figures released by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
Findings from ASRT’s Wage and Salary Survey 2019 showed the profession now averages $69,266. A total of 14,165 ASRT members completed the survey during March 2019.
Nuclear medicine technologists experienced the largest average increase at 10%, from a $75,819 average annual salary in 2016 to $83,385 in 2019. Radiation therapists were just behind, experiencing a 7.7% increase for an average of $89,159. MRI technologists’ wages jumped from $71,063 in 2016 to $76,177 in 2019. Radiographers saw a 3.2% increase, rising from $56,071 to $57,865 over the period.
“Compared to the 2016 wage and salary survey, the 2019 survey shows varying gains across all practice areas,” said John Culbertson, MA, MEd, ASRT director of research, in a prepared statement. “Although this is a welcome improvement, we should point out that the overall average increase is lower than the inflation rate of 6.8% over the same time period.”
Medical dosimetry professionals reported the highest mean compensation ($114,891) followed by radiologic assistants at $108,494. And broken down by region, radiologic technologists working in California earn the most ($101,699) while their counterparts in Alabama earn the least ($54,122).
Results also showed 49.2% of respondents are either satisfied or very satisfied with their pay, and 52.1% were either very satisfied or satisfied with their benefits.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.