Radiologic technologists now have an average salary of $65,756, up 4.8% in the past three years, according to the latest survey by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
The ASRT found annual average increases in all radiologic technology disciplines and specialty areas since 2013, although some areas had more gains than others. While the 2016 survey showed fairly consistent growth compared with the 2013 wage and salary survey, the increase only slightly outpaced inflation over the same time period, Myke Kudlas, ASRT associate executive director of learning and membership, said in a statement. Salaries for specific job titles are as follows:
- Radiation therapists had the largest average gains, climbing 5.3% from $78,602 in 2013 to reach $82,798 in 2016.
- Nuclear medicine technologists had a 5.2% increase in salary, growing from an average of $72,075 in 2013 to $75,819 in 2016.
- Radiographers followed with a 4.5% increase in average salary, from $53,680 in 2013 to $56,071 in 2016.
- MRI technologists had an average salary increase of 3.9%, from $68,384 in 2013 to $71,063 in 2016.
Sonographers had a 3.7% increase in annual salary over the past three years, while CT technologists had a 3.5% increase and mammographer salaries were up 3.4%. The highest reported mean compensation by discipline was medical dosimetry, with an average salary of $106,777, followed by registered radiologist assistant/radiologist practitioner assistant at $100,311.
The ASRT also found that salaries continue to fluctuate from region to region. California radiologic technologists had the highest annual compensation, with an average salary of $92,396, with technologists in the District of Columbia following behind at $81,083. Technologists in Alabama had an average salary of $52,230, the lowest base annual compensation in the survey.
Nearly half of respondents indicated they were either satisfied or very satisfied with their pay, according to the ASRT. On the downside, 33% of respondents reported they had not received a raise in the past 12 months.
The ASRT performed the salary survey of all of its members in February 2016 and received completed questionnaires for 25,379 radiologic technologists, representing a 12.4% response rate.
