Medical Imaging: Career Outlook

Earning Potential

National: Median annual earnings of full-time salaried radiologic technologists were $52,210 in 2008. Median annual earnings of radiologic technologists and technicians were $43,350 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $42,710 and $63,010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,100, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,970. Mean annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of radiologic technologists and technicians in May 2008 were: Medical and diagnostic laboratories: $56,260; General medical and surgical hospitals: $53,790; Office of Physicians: $50,210.

Massachusetts: Mean annual earnings of full-time salaried radiologic technologists in Massachusetts were $67,240 in 2008. Mean full-time hourly wages for radiologic technologists in Massachusetts were $32.33/hr in 2008.

Boston: Mean annual earnings of full-time salaried radiologic technologists in Boston were $70,190 in 2008. Mean full-time hourly wages for radiologic technologists in Boston were $33.75/hr in 2008.

Job Outlook

Employment of radiologic technologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2016, as the population grows and ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging. Opportunities are expected to be favorable. Some employers report shortages of radiologic technologists. Imbalances between the supply of qualified workers and demand should spur efforts to attract and retain qualified radiologic technologists. For example, employers may provide more flexible training programs, or improve compensation and working conditions.

Although physicians are enthusiastic about the clinical benefits of new technologies, the extent to which they are adopted depends largely on cost and reimbursement considerations. For example, digital imaging technology can improve quality and efficiency, but remains expensive. Some promising new technologies may not come into widespread use because they are too expensive and third-party payers may not be willing to pay for their use.

Radiologic technologists who are educated and credentialed in more than one type of diagnostic imaging technology, such as radiography and sonography or nuclear medicine, will have better employment opportunities as employers look for new ways to control costs. In hospitals, multi-skilled employees will be the most sought after, as hospitals respond to cost pressures by continuing to merge departments.

Hospitals will remain the principal employer of radiologic technologists. However, a greater number of new jobs will be found in offices and clinics of physicians, including diagnostic imaging centers. Health facilities such as these are expected to grow very rapidly through 2016 due to the strong shift toward outpatient care, encouraged by third-party payers and made possible by technological advances that permit more procedures to be performed outside the hospital. Some job openings will also arise from the need to replace technologists who leave the occupation.

Further Information

Read about career changers at the MGH Institute.

Medical Imaging Careers, sponsored by Boston Private Industry Council

U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2008