Education is an investment. Both time and money! You might be passionate about science, yet it’s a good idea to plan everything. When I was enrolling in the university, I checked with all job portals. And only when I was convinced of the scope and potential of my education program, I made that investment.
There are several career choices in radiography. Some of them are at an entry-level, while others require advanced education and specialized training.
In this article, I will discuss the jobs in the current market for people passionate about radiography.
What Are the Career Options You Can Pursue in Radiography?
Based on your interests, there are many job options in the field of diagnostic imaging, and I’m listing them for you; remember, the salary estimate is a rough one:
Sonographer
This entry is known as an ultrasound technician. When working as a sonographer, you are expected to combine your expertise in two disciplines: human anatomy and imaging techniques.
The profession involves working with medical equipment capable of producing sound waves to visualize organs and structures inside the body. Doctors use these images to diagnose patients and treat them appropriately.
Just give this article a quick glance if you’re more curious: the role of a sonographer.
Most Recruiters Lookout for These Qualifications:
- Discipline-related education program
- ARDMS SPI credentials
Please refer to our article on sonography education programs for more details.
Salary Compensation:
Sonographers can make over $70,000 in a year. Check out this article on the salary of a diagnostic medical sonographer for more information.
Mammographer
It’s a specialized field in radiography, which involves using radiation to recreate images of breast tissue for diagnosing and treating the patient.
Entry into this field usually requires expertise in other radiology-related disciplines, such as sonography.
Most Recruiters Lookout for These Qualifications:
- Discipline-related education program
- ARRT Mammography credentials
Salary Compensation:
Mammographers can also make $70,000 in a year. But an average range falls between $60,000 to $85,000 per year.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan Technologist
Computed tomography technology offers much better cross-sectional images of the internal organ and bone structures of the human body. They do this with the help of highly advanced x-rays producing machinery.
A beam of x- rays is focused on the patient, which then covers the patient’s body. The computer then generates the cross-sectional images based on the signals received.
The computed tomography technologist assists doctors and other radiologists in producing an accurate diagnosis for treatment with the help of CT.
Most Recruiters Lookout for These Qualifications:
- Radiography education and specialized CT training
- Work experience as a specialist
- ARRT radiography credentials
Salary Compensation:
Depending on experience, CT scan technologists can make over $90,000 per year. But an average range falls between $50,000 to $100,000 per year.
X-Ray Technologist
It’s one of the best-known positions within the healthcare industry. X-ray technologists are specialists in diagnosing bone and hard tissue-related disorders.
They are responsible for the patient’s well-being during the x-ray procedures. And make sure that the patients receive radiation dosage within safety limits.
Most Recruiters Lookout for These Qualifications:
- Discipline-related education program
- ARRT radiography credentials
Are you interested in learning more about ARRT certification? Here is an article where we cover it in depth for you.
Here is our free ARRT Radiography Practice Test; try it; if you want to get a feel for the ARRT exams.
Salary Compensation:
X-ray technologists average around $63,000 per year. The range is from $41,000 to $85,000 per year.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
A highly specialized position in many institutions requires advanced education and training to handle expensive machinery. They are responsible for performing several imaging techniques, such as PET and MIBG scans.
In addition, they help doctors and researchers who study radioactive substances for treatment purposes.
They also undertake the radioactive drug administration process to patients for either imaging or treatment purposes.
Most Recruiters Lookout for These Qualifications:
- Discipline-related advanced education
- ARRT radiography credentials
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB) credentials
Salary Compensation:
Nuclear medicine technologists can make anywhere around $65,000 to $160,000. This is not an entry-level position; your wages will depend on your experience.
MRI Technologist
As an MRI technologist, you will be handling the MRI equipment and helping produce images and scans per the doctor’s request.
Apart from this, you will also be responsible for interacting with patients; ensuring they feel at ease with the MRI procedures, and troubleshooting the imaging equipment whenever possible.
Most Recruiters Lookout for These Qualifications:
- Discipline-related advanced education
- ARRT radiography credentials
Salary Compensation:
MRI technologists can make anywhere between $75,000 to $90,000. Again, this is not an entry-level position. Your experience can change your pay scale.
Radiology Nurse
In this profession, your primary goal is to care for patients under radiation therapy. Several imaging techniques require exposure to radioactive substances to produce accurate and crisp images. Or the patient could be simply receiving treatment for their illnesses.
Hence, the radiology nurse is expected to help and support these patients during procedures that involve radiation or radioactive substances.
Most Recruiters Lookout for These Qualifications:
- Discipline-related education and credentials (RNCB)
- Nursing experience in intensive care, life support, and sedation
Salary Compensation:
As a radiology nurse, you can earn between $60,000 to $90,000 per year.
Radiologist Assistant
You will work closely with a radiologist and help them with patient management and hospital procedures.
The radiologist assistants also work with the produced x-ray images and are welcome to offer their inputs to the chief radiologist whenever possible.
A chief radiologist is a medical doctor with extensive educational background and experience in diagnostics and imaging.
Most Recruiters Lookout for These Qualifications:
- Discipline-related advanced education
- ARRT radiography credentials
Salary Compensation:
As a radiology nurse, you can make anywhere between $85,000 to $104,000 per year.
Wrapping Up
I have covered some of the major professions in radiography that you might be interested in. However there are more. The field of radiography is not something that is set in stone. With an expanding job market, keep an eye out for more positions in the future.
I’m also inviting you to check out our ARRT Hero Comprehensive Study Guide. Which can help you ace the ARRT radiography exam and earn your credentials.
