ASRT: RT salaries not matching inflation rates
According to the 2010 results of the wage and salary survey completed every three years by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), the salaries of RTs rose by 5.2 percent, now averaging $61,733 per year since 2007. However, wages did not remain consistent for the cost of living for many radiologic science professionals as during this time period, the U.S. inflation rate was 6.51 percent.
The survey further demonstrated that wage increase varied by specialty, with many not reaching the inflationary rate, including:
However, the survey reported some salary increases for specialties that did meet inflation, including:
In addition to specialties, the survey found discrepancies across states as well in terms of radiologic science salaries. Alabama technologists earned the lowest base annual compensation of $49,531, with North Dakota RTs coming in with the second lowest salary at an average of $51,930. However, California RTs were found to have the highest annual compensation at $82,753, followed by technologists in Massachusetts at $76,840, stated the Albuquerque, N.M.-based society.
The survey, which was administered to a random sampling of registered technologists in the 50 states and Washington D.C., also showed that 48.6 percent of respondents reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their pay level as of 2007, compared with 54.5 percent in 2010. The survey also found that in 2007, 17.6 percent of respondents had reported that they had not received a pay increase within the past year, compared to 37.4 percent of respondents in 2010, the ASRT said.
The survey further demonstrated that wage increase varied by specialty, with many not reaching the inflationary rate, including:
- Cardiovascular interventional technologists at 5.4 percent, $61,294 to $64,61;
- MR technologists at 5.1 percent, $61,928 to $65,098;
- CT technologists at 4.6 percent, $57,927 to $60,586;
- Radiographers at 3.1 percent, from $52,336 to $53,953; and
- Nuclear medicine technologists at 2.5 percent, from $69,083 to $70,822.
However, the survey reported some salary increases for specialties that did meet inflation, including:
- Mammographers, with a 6.5 percent increase;
- Sonographers at 8.5 percent;
- Medical dosimetrists at 9.3 percent; and
- Quality management technologists at 10 percent.
In addition to specialties, the survey found discrepancies across states as well in terms of radiologic science salaries. Alabama technologists earned the lowest base annual compensation of $49,531, with North Dakota RTs coming in with the second lowest salary at an average of $51,930. However, California RTs were found to have the highest annual compensation at $82,753, followed by technologists in Massachusetts at $76,840, stated the Albuquerque, N.M.-based society.
The survey, which was administered to a random sampling of registered technologists in the 50 states and Washington D.C., also showed that 48.6 percent of respondents reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their pay level as of 2007, compared with 54.5 percent in 2010. The survey also found that in 2007, 17.6 percent of respondents had reported that they had not received a pay increase within the past year, compared to 37.4 percent of respondents in 2010, the ASRT said.