The X Ray technician salary in the United States is $51,821, according to Salary.com. On the other hand, Payscale estimates that the X Ray technician annual salary is $42,057 and the X-Ray technician salary per hour is $18.54. This means that your case might be $46,939, give or take.
However, the realistic yearly wage for this category of professionals depends on a series of definitive factors, such as location or experience. Find out where you can get a top x ray technician salary and how your experience can have an impact on your pay below.
X Ray Technician Salary Influencers
1. Industry
To start, let’s talk about the industries that offer x ray technician jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics informs us that state, local and private hospitals employ the most professionals in this field – 59%. In this industry, the average radiology x ray technician salary was $57,950 in 2015, the largest of all industries.
Afterwards, 21% of x ray technicians can be found in the offices of physicians and are paid $51,610 annually. Only 8% work in medial and diagnostic laboratories with $56,660 a year. Just about 4% are at outpatient care centers with annual wages of $56,820, the second best-paying industry.
2. Geographic Area
Location can also greatly influence the salary of x ray technician. Some states in America repay these employees with well over $70k, while others barely offer more than $45k for the same position. The largest annual pay in the country is the x ray technician salary California employees get – $76,070. Here are a few more states with top x rays technician salary estimates:
- District of Columbia x ray technician salary – $74,910
- Salary of x-ray technician in Massachusetts – $71,790
- Alaska x ray technician salary – $69,870
- Medical assistant x ray technician salary in Hawaii – $69,100
- Nevada x ray radiology technician salary – $67,940
There are also a few locations that are more popular for these professionals than others. These are a few highly sought-after estimates:
- X ray technician salary NY employees get – $66,620
- Average x ray technician salary Florida offers – $51,710
- X ray technician salary in Texas – $55,580
Nevertheless, a candidate should also be well-aware of the states with the lowest x ray technicians salary ranges. According to the same source, the BLS, these are*:
- Arkansas average salary x ray technician gets – $47,870
- Salary of an x-ray technician in Louisiana – $47,490
- Alabama certified x ray technician salary – $46,970
- X-ray medical technician salary in Mississippi – $46,750
- West Virginia salary of an x ray technician – $46,100
* Excluding Guam and Puerto Rico.
In addition to a pleasing x ray technician salary range, you should also keep your eyes out for states with blooming employment opportunities. The aforementioned source informs that the states which have the most job opportunities are:
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Pennsylvania
3. Experience
There’s quite a difference between the x ray technician starting salary and that for experienced professionals. Usually, entry-level employees earn $37,000 annually, while late-career specialists have $52,000 a year.
In between, employees in their mid-career (with 5-10 years’ experience) earn $43,000 yearly. Moreover, those who are considered experienced (10-20 years) are more well-paid, with $48,000 every year.
Working Hours and Environment
Most x ray technicians have full time working schedules. However, some can work in weekends or out of regular hours if emergencies take place and x rays are required. Even though these professionals may be exposed to radiation, they receive proper protective gear to extremely reduce the chances. As expected, they work in healthcare facilities like hospitals or care centers.
X Ray Technician Salary by State
| State | Annual mean wage ($) |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 46,970 |
| Alaska | 69,870 |
| Arizona | 61,860 |
| Arkansas | 47,870 |
| California | 76,070 |
| Colorado | 62,440 |
| Connecticut | 64,510 |
| Delaware | 60,040 |
| District of Columbia | 74,910 |
| Florida | 51,710 |
| Georgia | 51,770 |
| Guam | 40,470 |
| Hawaii | 69,100 |
| Idaho | 52,020 |
| Illinois | 60,210 |
| Indiana | 54,800 |
| Iowa | 49,600 |
| Kansas | 50,770 |
| Kentucky | 49,760 |
| Louisiana | 47,490 |
| Maine | 56,270 |
| Maryland | 64,030 |
| Massachusetts | 71,790 |
| Michigan | 52,790 |
| Minnesota | 62,800 |
| Mississippi | 46,750 |
| Missouri | 51,780 |
| Montana | 53,030 |
| Nebraska | 52,520 |
| Nevada | 67,940 |
| New Hampshire | 62,490 |
| New Jersey | 65,050 |
| New Mexico | 58,270 |
| New York | 66,620 |
| North Carolina | 55,010 |
| North Dakota | 49,990 |
| Ohio | 52,900 |
| Oklahoma | 56,520 |
| Oregon | 66,450 |
| Pennsylvania | 56,170 |
| Puerto Rico | 26,690 |
| Rhode Island | 66,760 |
| South Carolina | 49,430 |
| South Dakota | 48,380 |
| Tennessee | 50,100 |
| Texas | 55,580 |
| Utah | 54,530 |
| Vermont | 59,240 |
| Virginia | 57,270 |
| Washington | 67,420 |
| West Virginia | 46,100 |
| Wisconsin | 56,100 |
| Wyoming | 51,130 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Bonuses and Benefit Packages
More than half of x ray technicians have common health benefits. Payscale informs that generally 68% of these professionals have medical benefits, with only 29% without any at all. Vision coverage is offered to approximately 38% of employees. Furthermore, 48% have dental insurance.
An x ray technician can also make roughly $1,100 a year from profit sharing,. In addition to this, they can gain up to $1,006 yearly from bonuses.
Job Outlook
Additionally, specialists expect job opportunities to increase for x ray technicians in the next few years. In other words, the percent change in employment projected for these professionals is 9% for the 2014-2024 timeframe. Nonetheless, it is just 2% more than the U.S. average for all occupations. It is visibly smaller than the percent change expected for general health technologists and technicians, of 16%.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the x ray technician salary can be greater or lower depending on the factors we have discussed. Even though the percent change in job opportunities is positive, x ray technicians should still consider the other influential aspects. Relocating to a particular state with an abundance of job opportunities might help, as well as a top-paying area.
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