MRI Technician Salary
MRI technician salary
The MRI technician salary typically ranges anywhere from an hourly rate of $17 per hour based on a 40 hour work week, that comes to about $32,640 a year to over $75,000 per year.
The salaries quoted will depend on both education and experience. Also, some parts of the U.S. will pay more or less depending on the local economy. So typically in places where the cost of living for example is lower compared to the national average. You would most likely have a yearly salary on the lower end of the salary range. In areas where the cost of living is high then the opposite tends to be true. There are of course exceptions to the rule. Some organizations traditionally pay more or less regardless of where they are located.
Here are a few examples of the MRI technician salary averages based on various cities.
According to the AMA (American Medical Association) the average salary of an MRI tech working in New York City is about $95,000. Where as the same position in Philadelphia is $71,000. In a much smaller city by comparison like Tampa, the average salary is around $68,000. Remember you have to take the cost of living in each city into consideration.
MRI Technicians Job Responsibilities
MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. MRI technicians work very closely with patients and doctors. They are responsible for taking scans of the patients body so that doctors can diagnose medical problems and begin or continue appropriate treatment.
Education
Most attend a two year accredited certification program in radiography. This is the most common scenario as most individuals choose to get their 2 year degree in Associate of Applied Science in Radiography. You may also choose to get your bachelor’s degree in radiography but it is not required.
Still others may attend technical training schools and obtain certificates. This typically takes one year or less.
The typical course of study includes, pathology, imaging equipment, radiation exposure protection and clinical radiography. There are other courses but these are a few of the core courses taken.
Licensing
No matter which route you choose you must also become licensed. Licensing is mandated on the state level. So the requirements may differ from state to state. However, generally your license will be issued by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. In order to get licensed you will need to take and pass an exam consisting of 200 multiple choice questions. Once you have obtained your license you will have to renew every two years by taking approved continuing education classes to keep your license valid.
Certification
MRI technicians are certified by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologist program. In order to enroll in this certification program you must have completed your MRI training from any of several accredited MRI medical technician schools. Once you are officially certified you must renew each year and take 24 hours of continuing education course credits every two years
The Impact Education And Experience Has On The MRI Technician Salary
MRI technician are in huge demand. In order to increase your chances of employment with a better than average salary. It’s important to get as much education as possible. The average MRI technician holds a 2 year degree. If you choose to go to a technical school program, then you’re going to need experience to increase your possibility of getting a good paying position.
Another reason furthering your education would be a good idea, is if you want to advance to higher positions. Many MRI technicians advance to become specialist in specific areas. If for example you choose to specialize in mammography. This makes you much more valuable to a potential employer. You can expect a higher paying salary versus someone without any kind of specialty.
A medical technician may eventually move their career toward a management position. If advancement is a goal, more education combined with experience will contribute to a gradual increase in your MRI technician salary.
Job Outlook
The outlook for MRI technicians according to the U.S. Department of Labor is excellent! Since healthcare is a field that will always need well educated MRI technicians finding employment should be relatively easy. The expected growth rate through the year 2018 is 17 percent. As the demand grows, so will the MRI technician salary. As you become more experienced you can expect to make a larger salary.
Hospitals as well as privately owned MRI companies are the largest employers of MRI technicians. The entry level MRI technician salary will vary widely depending on experience, education level and specialty.
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