Radiology Technician Careers

Radiology technician careers are hot right now. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. suffers from a shortage of qualified radiology technicians. As a result, radiology technician salaries are on the rise and prospects for promotion are good. Employers also are offering incentives to individuals interested in training to become radiology technicians.

Radiology technicians specialize in a number of both common and more complex non-invasive diagnostic procedures, including fluoroscopes (solution-based tissue tests), cross-sectional computerized tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) scans.

Career Prerequisites - Radiology Technician

Entry-level radiology technician careers typically require a one-year certificate, two-year associate's degree, or four-year bachelor's degree.

Some states require radiology technicians to be licensed, qualifying them for practice in their state. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists provides a more national credential. To register, candidates must complete an accredited program in radiology and pass a registry examination. Increasingly, registry has become a condition of employment for radiology technicians.

Salary Forecast - Radiology Technician

Average radiology technician salaries in 2002 were around $39,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This salary figure is expected to rise for the next several years, making radiology tech careers a good bet.

If you are looking for a job in the medical technician field, consider the many benefits of a radiology technician career.