Become An X-ray Technician

Do x-rays fascinate you? You can earn good money as an x-ray technician, and this job provides plenty of room to advance your career to make even more money in the future. Although x-ray technicians primarily are hired by hospitals, they also can work in other environments such as doctor’s offices, radiology clinics, dental offices and convalescent homes. Each environment provides new opportunities, and a variety of salaries as well.

No matter the environment, x-ray technicians salaries are about the same nationwide, but they increase as your career builds. This job is the low end of the x-ray career totem pole, however, so you may not make as much as the next step up, which is a radiographer.

For instance, salaries for x-ray technicians who have been on the job for one year usually range about $16.43 per hour, whereas an x-ray technician who has been on the job for twenty years or more can make around $23.87 per hour.

In comparison, the mean hourly wage for a radiographer is $25.59, and ninety percent of radiographers make a mean hourly wage of $36.04. The difference in jobs and wages may mean just a year or two more in college or extra certification. As an x-ray technician, you often are limited to the technologies you can operate, such as an x-ray machine. However, with further education, on-the-job skills training and certifications, you can learn how to operate other diagnostic equipment as well, such as CT or MRI equipment. While your pay and job description may be limited if you start out as an x-ray technician, the door is wide open to advance your career and your payscale even as you work.

Other careers may be open to you as well as an x-ray technician. You can work in a dentist’s office or with a veterinarian [PDF]. According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), chief technicians can expect to earn $42,768 while senior technicians make $48,331. The average salary for a program director is approximately $64,290. Learning your skill so that you become an expert is one option, whereas learning business, diagnostic and technical skills is another option. As you can see, you have many options within many salary ranges.

Increases in salaries over the next decade will depend mainly upon advances in technologies and the ability of a x-ray technician to keep up with those advances. Often, continuing education is a necessity to advance into a new field or even to maintain a current career. Fortunately, x-ray technicians often are the first to learn about new x-ray technologies and, if working for an environment that wants to keep up with the latest and best equipment, will often obtain the needed skills through work or through continuing education offered through employers.

Another option available to advance your skills and your pay is to study at home or through online courses. You can accomplish this goal while you work. This means that you also can accomplish the goal of acquiring hands-on technical experience, which is a requirement for many certifications.

Top Online X-Ray Technician Degree Programs

	DeVry University — DeVry offers a bachelor's degree in health services management that prepares students to enter clinical radiology or X-ray programs upon graduation. DeVry has a reputation of working with the top healthcare industry leaders to build curricula that is geared toward students' success in the real world.
	Keiser University — Keiser University's online AS degree in Medical Assisting prepares students with the x-ray training prerequisites needed to perform medical assisting duties under direction of a physician/practitioner. Medical assistants also learn to function in an administrative capacity, providing the skills you need to advance in your career as an x-ray technician.
	Kaplan University — The AAS in medical assisting program provided by Kaplan University provides an entry-level education that concentrates on helping students acquire knowledge and develop skills in performing laboratory, clinical, and medical office procedures. In addition to the online A.S. or B.S. program in Health Information Technology, you complete an unpaid clinical instruction experience and an unpaid externship in an ambulatory setting to complete your course of study as an x-ray technician.
	Ashford University — The BA in healthcare administration offered by Ashford is likely more schooling than a typical X-ray technician will need to begin a career. This program is better suited for the x-ray tech who wishes for more job responsibility and higher pay as a manager or administrator of hospital or clinical technicians.
	American InterContinental University — AIU's AABA in healthcare administration provides a route for individuals looking to become X-ray technicians by completing coursework on business and ethical issues involved in such careers.
	Rasmussen College — Gain in-demand medical coding skills with an affordable and flexible AAS degree in Health Information Technology from Rasmussen College. Students learn medical front office procedures such as handling patient accounts and records, word processing, and scheduling of patients as well as other technical skills.
	Independence University — Independence University's Associate of Science in Allied Health online degree program can help you complete qualifications to grow professionally in the health and human services field. Earning your associate's degree online enables you to progress at your own pace toward your professional goals, allowing you to enter an x-ray tech clinical program within one year.
	Virginia College Online — Virginia College offers a BS in health services management degree program that trains students in management of healthcare services from hospitals to clinics to doctors' offices, and more. Graduates of this program will be well suited to enter managerial careers within the healthcare industry.
	South University — This Associate of Science in Allied Health Science degree program online exposes you to a broad education in general studies combined with an emphasis on life sciences. This program offers a fast and flexible solution for students who want to get their x-ray technician prerequisites, or to continue to earn an MBA in Healthcare Administration.
	Baker College — Baker's bachelor's degree program in health services administration is well suited for those looking for a more managerial role in their healthcare career. This program goes above and beyond the training required of a typical x-ray technician.
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