Radiology Technician Salary Adviser

According to US Bureau of  Labor Statistics the average MRI technician salary is between $39,480 and $57,890. This is an average figure as the salary can vary depending on a variety of  factors. Key factors include the length of experience and level of qualifications a person has. As with most healthcare  careers becoming an MRI Technician takes a considerable amount of time, training and commitment.

The following information below outlines the main factors that can affect an MRI technician salary.

Experience

With most things in life the longer you have been doing a job the better you are at doing it. This can also equate to being rewarded with a higher salary and with MRI technologist jobs this is no different. Below is the annual salaries that you can expect to earn based on the number of years experience you have worked as an MRI technician.

1 year:     $37,000 – $50,000

2 years:   $39,000 – $53,000

5 years:  $49,000 – $62,000

10 years: $51,000 – $71,000

20 years: $57,000 - $77,000

As you can see the longer you stay in the job the higher compensation you will receive in terms of wages.

Who You Work For

Another important factor that can determine your MRI technician salary is the type of employer or industry you choose to work for. The vast majority of magnetic resonance imaging technician roles are employed in general and surgical hospitals. Working as a technician in a Government funded hospital you can expect to earn an annual salary between $35,000 and $57,500. This is considered at the lower end of scale whereas, practicing in a private hospital you can expect to bring home between $40,000 and $70,000.

An MRI technologist is not limited to working in hospitals and private practices as there are more career opportunities to be found in Medical and Healthcare centers. For example, if you decide to work in a Medical center the expected yearly salary would be between $49,765 and $60,687.

Where You Work

Tech salaries can vary depending on the state or location you work in. Below is a list of MRI technician salary by state examples and their expected payouts:

• California -  $49,700 – $89,700
• New York -  $59,500 – $78,000
• Illinois -         $32,500 – $ 52,000
• Florida -       $45, 200 – $57,890

MRI Technician Qualifications and a Dose of Reality

The more qualified you are the higher salary you can expect to receive. Before embarking on a  career as an MRI technician or any role within the field of radiology you should plan ahead in terms of what you want to achieve. Many students have the misconception that they will be earning a lot of money in the early stages of their career. The reality is quite different as the the hourly rate for a new MRI Technician is approximately $16 to $18 an hour. So, in the first few years you will not be earning a lot of money. But, in saying that the potential to earn over $70,000 a year is very feasible with experience and extra training.

Technicians who are certified will be better paid and will have more job opportunities compared to technicians who are not. A MRI technician certification program requires two years of study and should preferably be undertaken in a school or college that is accredited by Joint Review Committee on Education of Radiologic Technology. Although this is not mandatory, you will find it considerably easier to find a position as most hospitals in the country have made the JRCERT accreditation part of their employment and hiring criteria.

There are many MRI Technician schools to choose from that include Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, Grand Canyon University and Keiser University, Florida to name just a few. These provide an extensive range of MRI technician courses and programs that will ensure your career starts in the right direction. There is also the option for advancing your career by becoming a radiologist. For this you need to start with a  bachelor degree course and the overall length of time to become fully qualified can take up to 12 to 14 years of study and training.

Career Prospects

The career prospects for a career in radiology is very good going into the future. As the human population continues to age and live longer the rate of injuries and disease will only increase. This will also increase the demand for specialists who have skills in x ray procedures, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. This means that radiology and its specializations are a great profession to enter.  As pointed out earlier you can increase your MRI technician salary by planning your career in advance with the right education and training.