Radiologic Technologists Growing Field

Employment of Radiologic Techs Expected to Grow by 28%

Employment of radiologic technologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations

An increasing aging population will have more medical conditions, such as breaks and fractures caused by osteoporosis, which require imaging to diagnose and treat. Radiologic technologists will be needed to maintain and use the diagnostic equipment.

Although hospitals will remain the main employer of radiologic technologists, a number of new jobs will be in physicians’ offices and in imaging centers. Employment in these healthcare settings is expected to increase because of the shift toward outpatient care whenever possible. Outpatient care is encouraged by third-party payers as a cost-saving measure and is made possible by technological advances, such as less expensive equipment, which allow for more procedures to be done outside of hospitals. Most radiologic technologists work full time. Because imaging is needed in emergencies, some radiologic technologists work evenings, weekends, or on call.

The median annual wage of radiologic technologists was $54,340 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,510 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $76,850.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Radiologic Technologists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm (visited September 16, 2013).

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