Medical Imaging start 50k leading to SIX FIGURES? Nursing v Rad/Sonography

I have a friend going to school out of state for her "medical imaging" degree. I explained that I know a little bit about the radiology and ultrasonography careers having done some research, but she said the medical imaging degree covers a more broad spectrum rather than those specifically.

It's a "two year" degree (as much as nursing is, as I assume you still need pre-reqs there too), but because I hear so much radio/daytime tv ad coverage, I'm understandably skeptical.

Salary.com and dozens of other sites puts the median income for "medical imaging" professionals (I still think you eventually go into either US or Radiology, no?) seems to be about mid-50's. But the key that my friend keeps mentioning is specialization.

I understand that as you specialize and gain certifications, your pay will go up.. but does it double? It just seems like this is so laced with FUD (bad data) and that many are getting confused.

Personally, from the research I've done, I think that even if you want to go into these fields, you should do it with a nursing degree so that you have the added flexibility. From what I understand it's fairly easy for an RN to specialize and learn what the tech's are learning.

So has anyone's travels down the nursing school/employment path, brought them close to someone who would know for sure what these magical certifications are for these giant paychecks? I'm not doubting 50's or even low 60's.. but beyond that, I just can't believe that someone out of school for less than 5 years would be earning 75k+ as a tech in sonography or radiology?

I know there's a radiology nursing subforum, so excuse me for posting here - it just seemed more related to general nursing

I appreciate any feedback, I've heard a lot of stories from other folks who's girlfriends or boyfriends are going to school for this, but they seem as in the dark as I am. I imagine it's not until you're actually in the industry that you learn about the true steps in order to make a commanding salary like the one mentioned. Just sounds a tad crazy that a tech could someday make as much as a CRNA :trout: Last edit by GilbertDaddy on Jun 21, '07
I'm highly skeptical. In fact, I'd say you will mostly hear about the far out salaries from the schools that train these medical imaging specialists.

Quote from motorcycle mamaI'm highly skeptical. In fact, I'd say you will mostly hear about the far out salaries from the schools that train these medical imaging specialists.

I would be very skeptical. Technically, they don't have to pay that much b/c the job isn't really in demand...nowhere near like nursing or radiology.Think about it...most of them work for an OB-GYN ..so how many positions can there possibly be available?These programs are also few and far between...I haven't found a college within 6 HOURS of my home that offers it, and one that I thought did, that was closer...DROPPED the program due to lack of interest.The second closest one I found, at a very, very large CC, only permitted 12 applicants PER YEAR.

First off, a radiologist is a doctor who interprets the images.What you are talking about is a medical imaging technician. The techs who run the x-ray, MRI, CT scanners. They make good money but trust me its nowhere near 6 figures. Average salary would be more like 50-70k. 70k is only for those who get special extra training in nuclear scanner techniques.

Quote from platon20First off, a radiologist is a doctor who interprets the images.What you are talking about is a medical imaging technician. The techs who run the x-ray, MRI, CT scanners. They make good money but trust me its nowhere near 6 figures. Average salary would be more like 50-70k. 70k is only for those who get special extra training in nuclear scanner techniques.

Quote from Hopefull2009Not neccessarily. A local community college here has "Radiography" major, that does a variety of medical imaging, and it is a Tech position.Radiology also refers to the field of medical imaging.

In my hospital sonography techs earn more than RNs do. One sonographer told me that she went to school in Dallas for 18 months before she became certified.

kiyatylese ...I agree with you. I have a friend who was once a HUC here (unit secretary) who went thru the sonographer program and now makes very near if not over $100,000/year. She is a contract sonographer and owns the company -something very easy to do once you are certified and specialized..and contrary to popular opinion...specialization doesn't take that long.vamedic4It was a long day today!

Quote from vamedic4kiyatylese ...I agree with you. I have a friend who was once a HUC here (unit secretary) who went thru the sonographer program and now makes very near if not over $100,000/year. She is a contract sonographer and owns the company -something very easy to do once you are certified and specialized..and contrary to popular opinion...specialization doesn't take that long.vamedic4It was a long day today!

Quote from mcubed45yes but radioloGIST refers to an MD with a specialization in interpreting diagnostic images. radiology TECHs are the people that take the x-rays. they have no training in reading/diagnosis whatsoever. they are only trained to determine the QUALITY of the image and ensure the radiologist will be able read it. .

Quote from Hopefull2009The OP got the original job title CORRECT and referred to it as as a Tech position. It was the basis of her entire question if a Tech could actually make that much. That was my only point.Here the techs do make very close to an RN starting salary, but not $100K. I would also wager that a Radiologist would make substantially more than $100K

Quote from Hopefull2009I would be very skeptical. Technically, they don't have to pay that much b/c the job isn't really in demand...nowhere near like nursing or radiology.Think about it...most of them work for an OB-GYN ..so how many positions can there possibly be available?