Rad Tech Salary

I am just about to graduate with a bachelor's degree is psych, and have been accepted into a rad tech program this fall. Will my BA degree give me a leg up over others without? And would I start out with a higher salary than other rad techs without a BA? If so, about how much more?

no! a B.A. or a B.S. in radiography does NOT give you higher pay but would probably give you an advantage in the long run. i have a B.S. specifically in Radiography (under the Health Science option) from a university in California, but i know it would not help as far as pay. Though, what it does help you with is upward mobility within the ranks. most hospitals/clinics require a bachellors degree to become director or manager of the whole department. atleast thats how it is in Los ANgeles. im sure it's the same elsewhere.

I am not getting a BA in radiography, if you read it more carefully you would have seen that I am getting (now have) a BA in PSYCHOLOGY. I was inquiring if my BA in psych would help at all in the paycheck after I complete my associates as a rad tech.

well if you think about it more carefully, if i have a B.S. in Radiography that DOESNT help my paycheck, why would a B.A. in psych pay better?...

Because if I were up against another person with just an associates in rad tech versus me with bachelors degree in another area along with an associates in rad tech, I'm hoping they would go for me seeing that I have more education than the other guy...Just like I'm sure you're getting more money with a bs in rad than you would be if you only had an associates, and I right? WOuld this make me more marketable? I just want to know if I wasted $30,000 on an education and not get anything back for it? Do you like your position or are you looking to move in another direction like MRIs or Sonography?

i JUST said it doesnt help with with your pay. and it really depends on the program you were in. my program is well known in california, hence, my job right out of school as an MRI technologist. if a program is well known and has a really good reputation of putting out great technologists, then having a bachellors degree over an A.A. wouldnt really make a difference. my program crosstrained me in CT, angio, Cath lab, MRI and specials in my 2 and a half years so that makes ME very marketable. it is part of the bachellors program. most A.A. programs in california do not cross train in those modalities at all. so it really depends in the program.

you having a bachellors in psych plays NO roll in you getting a job. im sorry to say that, it's what you can and cant do in clinical that really matters and who you know. make connections as a student, you are bound to make some contacts.

why would you have more education than me? we both have a bachellors do we not? i have a bachellors in the field you are trying to get a job in, whilst you have a bachellors in... psych? wtf?...

good luck with your superiority complex, im sure you'll need it

jllybean65 in Massena, New York said: because, I will have a bachelors in radiography and in psych. I think you're the one who needs to get off your high horse. Nice language too btw, real mature.

In your defense, Having a bachelors in PSYCH would help with a degree as a Radiology Administrator, if you were interested. The job of management is pretty much problem solving. BEST WISHES!

yes, but as i have stated, it doesnt help in INITIAL hiring or PAY RAISE but what it does help with is LONG TERM commitments... i have stated this fact already, yet he or she refuses to believe what i say

Thank you radtechinmich! That does help alot :) I currently do hold a management position, granted its in retail, but that sounds like a position I would like to be in and I appreciate your suggestion :)

wow.. look at you throwing "director in NYC" and then saying "cocky jackass" in the same sentence... way to go... lead by example why dont ya?! ahah im glad i dont work for you

What school did you attend?

JCG in Panorama City, California said: i JUST said it doesnt help with with your pay. and it really depends on the program you were in. my program is well known in california, hence, my job right out of school as an MRI technologist. if a program is well known and has a really good reputation of putting out great technologists, then having a bachellors degree over an A.A. wouldnt really make a difference. my program crosstrained me in CT, angio, Cath lab, MRI and specials in my 2 and a half years so that makes ME very marketable. it is part of the bachellors program. most A.A. programs in california do not cross train in those modalities at all. so it really depends in the program.

you having a bachellors in psych plays NO roll in you getting a job. im sorry to say that, it's what you can and cant do in clinical that really matters and who you know. make connections as a student, you are bound to make some contacts.

JCG in Panorama City, California said: yes, but as i have stated, it doesnt help in INITIAL hiring or PAY RAISE but what it does help with is LONG TERM commitments... i have stated this fact already, yet he or she refuses to believe what i say

In defense of JCG in Panorama City, he/she is correct about whether ANY bachelor's helps in xray jobs. Here in California, for an Xray Technologist, only the associates degree training is required. All a bachelor's does is cross-train you into advanced modalities for the extra 2 years, which you can also pursue independently after your A.S. degree.

I have a B.S. in Business Management, which will eventually help me move ahead, but as a xray grad last year with an A.S., I'm having a heck of a time finding a job. Because of the economy, most places are requiring 2-3 years on the job experience (not including the 2 years clinical training). When I first started my program, jobs for new grads were abundant. It's a catch 22. And unfortunately, an Xray Technologist in Calif. is not allowed to "volunteer" to keep up their skills like a nurse is allowed to.

The xray community is quite different than the business community -- it has a personality that most people don't understand until they've experienced living and working in it. Hope this helps the psych person with his/her decision.

thank you! sheesh! somebody who knows what they are talking about OTHER than me!

J-Diesel in Long Island, New York said: JCG- you're appearing to have less than a high school diploma. Instead of trying to be helpful, you appear to be arrogant and attempting to rub this persons nose in your s***.

As a Rad Director in NYC, I WOULD hire this person over you not only because of his or her extra education, but also be this person isn't a cocky jackass.

I pity the hospital and your co-workers for having to work with a person with your demeanor.

I doubt that the original agitator will ever come back in this thread, but as far as I can read, it's Jlly that has been the cocky one in this thread

JCG answered the question as direct as possible and only became negative after the OP became confrontational after not getting the answer that he/she thought he/she would get.

Maybe JCG's been a jackass in another thread (I haven't seen it), but if you want to hire an elitist that can't decipher a statement and only cares about how much money he/she is going to make, You can have all of the Jlly's in the world at your hospital.

thanks! i mean, a simple NO answered his original question didnt it?... i mean i dont understand what he/she couldnt... thanks for the support! i was just trying to answer the question but got attitude in return!

I would not recommend anyone getting into radiology because schools are allowing too many students to get in and the market is getting saturated.
Putting up with crap from doctors, well you deserve more than you will get from x-ray job.

im doing it now and think its the best decision, both financially and emotionally, that i've ever made in my life... you dont have to put up with anything if you speak up...

Is exposure to radiation a concern for x ray tech who are in the field for years? Thanks for input.

jllybean65 in Potsdam, New York said: I am just about to graduate with a bachelor's degree is psych, and have been accepted into a rad tech program this fall. Will my BA degree give me a leg up over others without? And would I start out with a higher salary than other rad techs without a BA? If so, about how much more?

My Brother has a Bachelors in Radiography and I know from doing his forms on TurboTax he made 62 grand before taxes. Keep in mind he's been doing this for almost 10 years. The guy works about 10hrs 5 days a week.

sappy in Westerly, Rhode Island said: Is exposure to radiation a concern for x ray tech who are in the field for years? Thanks for input.

If you are following procedures for protection and the equipment you are working with is not faulty, your exposure is minimal.

im hoping i can get i job from my clinical sites or get in with the connections i have.

To those who are in the Los Angeles area.

I'm currently a student at Pasadena City College. I just finished my first semester at this school. I'm currently working on my A.S. towards Radiology. Here's my problem, the Rad tech program at Pasadena City College only accepts about 25 students per year out of 250 applicants by a lottery system. IF the applicant doesn’t get chosen than he or she has to reapply the following year again. As you can see, the odds of being acceptance into the program are very slim. I really do not have the time to wait if I don’t get accepted. I need a better option.

Here are my questions:

1) Can I be accepted into other Rad Tech program with an A.S.degree? Just in case I don’t get accepted in the Rad Tech program at Pasadena City College.
2) Is my education plan a right path towards me becoming a Rad Tech.?
3) Which path is the best and fastest way to become a Rad Tech in the Greater Los Angeles area?
4) What school did you attend?

Your time, advice, knowledge and help would be greatly appreciated.

Dan Leo in Pasadena, California said: To those who are in the Los Angeles area.

I'm currently a student at Pasadena City College. I just finished my first semester at this school. I'm currently working on my A.S. towards Radiology. Here's my problem, the Rad tech program at Pasadena City College only accepts about 25 students per year out of 250 applicants by a lottery system. IF the applicant doesn’t get chosen than he or she has to reapply the following year again. As you can see, the odds of being acceptance into the program are very slim. I really do not have the time to wait if I don’t get accepted. I need a better option.

Here are my questions:

1) Can I be accepted into other Rad Tech program with an A.S.degree? Just in case I don’t get accepted in the Rad Tech program at Pasadena City College.
2) Is my education plan a right path towards me becoming a Rad Tech.?
3) Which path is the best and fastest way to become a Rad Tech in the Greater Los Angeles area?
4) What school did you attend?

Your time, advice, knowledge and help would be greatly appreciated.

Hey there sounds like you need to move. I went to school in Yuma and got right in... I went through exactly what you are going through... mcquademaz@gmail.com hit me up.

hmmm well, the funny thing is that the vast majority of new grads right now make the same exact amount in x-ray:

$0.00

There are no jobs kids.

oh and in case your curious, that $60,000 salary average on this site is the biggest joke I've ever seen in my life. expect to start anywhere from $17-20 per hr...IF YOU GET A JOB.

I don't know if this helps, but I'm a new grad. It's been 4 months since I finished and of my 34 classmates in the Rad Tech program, I only know of 1 of us who has actually landed a job as a Rad Tech. He was offered a part-time position at his clinical site making $28/hr. The rest of us are struggling to find a job, while others are working as Medical Assistants and Limited X-Ray Techs because they need to make money. Many hospitals need techs, but because of the economy and hospital freezes, they can't afford to hire, so they rely on student techs to fill those positions for free. Thus, leaving many students unemployed when they finish school.

TA in Los Angeles, California said: I don't know if this helps, but I'm a new grad. It's been 4 months since I finished and of my 34 classmates in the Rad Tech program, I only know of 1 of us who has actually landed a job as a Rad Tech. He was offered a part-time position at his clinical site making $28/hr. The rest of us are struggling to find a job, while others are working as Medical Assistants and Limited X-Ray Techs because they need to make money. Many hospitals need techs, but because of the economy and hospital freezes, they can't afford to hire, so they rely on student techs to fill those positions for free. Thus, leaving many students unemployed when they finish school.

yes, $28 in CALIFORNIA where the cost of living is high. and the 1 out of 34 sounds about right at this point.

warning in Cleveland, Ohio said: yes, $28 in CALIFORNIA where the cost of living is high. and the 1 out of 34 sounds about right at this point.

The cost of living isn't that high in CA, unless you wanna live in Malibu or somewhere else on the beach. So much for your $17 dollar starting salary theory, warning.

Soon2BRadTech in Dundee, Illinois said: The cost of living isn't that high in CA, unless you wanna live in Malibu or somewhere else on the beach. So much for your $17 dollar starting salary theory, warning.

whatever. Not that it's likely you'll know anytime soon what a starting tech salary is anyhow. I have a bridge in Brooklyn I would like to sell you if you believe it's really $28 per hr.

I actually had an interview at a brand new imaging center, and when they called to set up the interview they had some screening questions, one of which was that the job would pay $20-30/hour. I found out at the interview they had over 300 applicants.

warning in Cleveland, Ohio said: whatever. Not that it's likely you'll know anytime soon what a starting tech salary is anyhow. I have a bridge in Brooklyn I would like to sell you if you believe it's really $28 per hr.

Let's see I have three freinds who graduated last semester and all have jobs (2 full time, 1 prt time) and they all make $23 hr in the Chicagoland area. So there you go smartass.

And TA from cali just said he knows someone who is getting $28 in cali. Maybe if you work in the middle of nowhere at some small clinic or hospital you might only start at $17/hr but in larger cities you make more.

I'm hearing of considerable hiring here in Fl. Tampa General, Veterans Hospital. It looks like it's You and Me (soon2B) , you know what they say, "Don't change Horses in the middle of a stream"....
and "If I put the brakes on now , I'd skid for twenty years"
(J. Buffet). Create your own reality , desire and belief are the key.
I'm going to stick my head in the sand for now and finish what I started, for one. I already know how not to get a job, but that was good advise RE: getting into the Hospital in any capacity. Thanks to Warning.

Well seems like you all need to move to California where some Rad Techs are making $50+/hr

Erod209 in Pinole, California said: Well seems like you all need to move to California where some Rad Techs are making $50+/hr

if anyone here has a brain they will ignore that post.

Well, I'm a new grad - graduated in June, but finally finished with all the requirements in California (takes forever to get your CRT AND your Fluoro permit). As soon as I received my Fluoro license, I submitted applications to nearby hospitals. Got a call the same exact day. In the Los Angeles area, salaries start around $23-24/hour in hospitals. I'm taking County hospitals as an example of lower limit, as they generally have a tighter budget. That's for a starting RT. Per diem can get as high as $35/hour. Believe what you want, but IMO, the economy isn't as bad as people make it out to be. There are jobs available.

Good to hear, Optimist. Thanks.

Thank you for your comment. It really gave more motivation to work harder on my school. May I ask you what school you attended to?

Those who attended Rad Tech program in California. Can you please list what school you attended too? I'm currently work on my perquisite at Pasadena City College. I will be applying to the PCC Rad Tech program next fall. I just want to know if there are any other good program in the LA county. Thank you in advance.

I went to Harbor-UCLA. Acceptance is merit-based, rather than lotteries or waiting lists like some others in the area. Not sure how PCC does it, but I felt EXTREMELY lucky to be at Harbor. Not only do you rotate around one hospital, but it's a trauma center, and you get experience you won't get anywhere else. I'm sure other programs do just a good job, but I'm greatful to have gone through Harbor.

Hi JCG in Panorama City, California,
I am looking for Rad Tech school that cross train everything. You said the one you went to rad tech school cross train ct mri angio. Can you please let me know which college you went to . I will like to apply program there. thanks in advance sam

I graduated in 2005 and started at $20/hr in Florida. In bigger metro areas of florida the going rate varied between 18-23/hr. Most new grads will be hired at the lower limit of the range for the job, so I would guess I was close to average for Florida. I moved to Spokane WA and improved my salary, but had also added CT (ARRT Registered) to my bag of tricks. This year MRI is going down. It is all about the alphabet soup people. It is a tough market (spent FEB-JUL looking for work)but it can be done. I am currenlty looking at higher degree programs to provide more options as well. Good luck all, and anyone in Florida I highly reccomend Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL. Rotate between four major hospitals and several specialty clinics. 100% pass rate of graduates on the ARRT since the programs inception in the 70's. very good school.

Hey Harvey - I read you are looking towards a higher degree; is it in the Radiologist Assist. field?

Also for open discussion: How you think the Health Care Bill will effect the RT job market and the field in general? Good, Bad, Unsure?

I am currently preparing to start a rad tech program and I am faced everyday with if this is the best thing for me to do. I hear people tell me that it's the people that have retired or been in the field for some time that are remaining employed. I really want to do this and have changed my major SOOO many times. I heard New York was a great place to go to find a job for rad techs. Anyone know if this is true????

Hi, I am 47, and have started school again. I have switched gears, and I'm ub Radiology Tech program. I find it very interesting. I enjoy the program, but worry due to my age of recieving a job. I'm not worried about making lots of money just a steady position with benefits. Don't get me wrong it would be nice,but not realistic at this age of the game. I want to support my family. With the crisis in the economy I have become the bread winner. I want to be able to have a fair shot when I finish year. What are your thoughts.

Thank you

J-Diesel in Long Island, New York said: JCG- you're appearing to have less than a high school diploma. Instead of trying to be helpful, you appear to be arrogant and attempting to rub this persons nose in your s***.

As a Rad Director in NYC, I WOULD hire this person over you not only because of his or her extra education, but also be this person isn't a cocky jackass.

I pity the hospital and your co-workers for having to work with a person with your demeanor.

jllybean65 in Potsdam, New York said: I am just about to graduate with a bachelor's degree is psych, and have been accepted into a rad tech program this fall. Will my BA degree give me a leg up over others without? And would I start out with a higher salary than other rad techs without a BA? If so, about how much more?

no. the horpital that hires you will have a starting wage they pay all new hire in Radiography. It will not matter what education levelyou bring to the job.

Stephen S in Long Beach, California said: I doubt that the original agitator will ever come back in this thread, but as far as I can read, it's Jlly that has been the cocky one in this thread

JCG answered the question as direct as possible and only became negative after the OP became confrontational after not getting the answer that he/she thought he/she would get.

Maybe JCG's been a jackass in another thread (I haven't seen it), but if you want to hire an elitist that can't decipher a statement and only cares about how much money he/she is going to make, You can have all of the Jlly's in the world at your hospital.

JCG probably had a friend write this to cover her behind!!!! or she probably wrote it herself to cover her behind!

BOSSY in Los Angeles, California said: In defense of JCG in Panorama City, he/she is correct about whether ANY bachelor's helps in xray jobs. Here in California, for an Xray Technologist, only the associates degree training is required. All a bachelor's does is cross-train you into advanced modalities for the extra 2 years, which you can also pursue independently after your A.S. degree.

I have a B.S. in Business Management, which will eventually help me move ahead, but as a xray grad last year with an A.S., I'm having a heck of a time finding a job. Because of the economy, most places are requiring 2-3 years on the job experience (not including the 2 years clinical training). When I first started my program, jobs for new grads were abundant. It's a catch 22. And unfortunately, an Xray Technologist in Calif. is not allowed to "volunteer" to keep up their skills like a nurse is allowed to.

The xray community is quite different than the business community -- it has a personality that most people don't understand until they've experienced living and working in it. Hope this helps the psych person with his/her decision.

JCG is probably defending herself with this message! poor JCG! this same message sound like her. Dont pretend to be someone else tying to defend you! and then say thanks for defending me

Tica in Springfield, Massachusetts said: JCG is probably defending herself with this message! poor JCG! this same message sound like her. Dont pretend to be someone else tying to defend you! and then say thanks for defending me

Wrong. I can write my own opinion without you going all Jerry Springer over it. I've basically been ignoring the extreme postings. We have to come together on this thing so we can all get jobs and help people. At least that's the reason I became an xray tech. Please keep your accusatory opinions to yourself and put out some good energy instead.