The job market for radiologists remains healthy, and that's having a positive effect on both salaries and recruiting incentives. In some cases, the demand for radiologists is so strong that a competitive salary offer is little more than a starting point in negotiations for a host of other job perks.
Such are the conclusions of Joseph Hawkins, CEO of the physician search firm Merritt, Hawkins & Associates of Dallas. Hawkins discusses the red-hot radiology job market and its impact on compensation in a guest column we’re featuring this week on AuntMinnie.com.
According to the firm's own data, base salaries for radiologists have risen 69% since 1998. Vacation packages have improved as well, with some employers offering 8 to 12 weeks off a year compared with 4 to 6 weeks a few years ago. Signing bonuses have risen, as have CME allowances, and firms have even shortened the path to partnership and buy-in.
There are no signs, Hawkins says, that the trend will end anytime soon. An aging population, innovations in imaging technology, and other factors will ensure that demand for radiologists continues into the foreseeable future.
If you’re thinking of moving on, this week's featured article could give you a leading edge in the assessment of compensation packages. You'll find it here.
