How Much Does a Radiologist Make

A radiologist uses different hi-tech medical imaging equipment to diagnose patients and chart a treatment plan. The road to becoming a radiologist is long and hard, aspirants first have to complete a 4 year medical degree, and after that a 4 year residency program in radiology. They are well compensated after they complete their training and acquire certification. Radiologists with experience can make over USD 500,000 annually. Individuals who have completed their certification and are freshers to the industry also make enviable salaries averaging between 80 - 90 thousand dollars annually.

Salary Range

Radiologists are considered to be the highest paid healthcare professionals in the industry today and are known to make annual salaries that can even reach the USD 600,000 mark. This number, however, is for people with experience in the field. Salaries in the healthcare industry are affected by various factors like experience, education and specialization. The geographical location of the job also plays a part in deciding a person's salary. The table given below will give you a slight idea about average salary corresponding to the number of years of experience.

Experience	Salary
0 - 1 year	USD 80 - 100,000
2 - 5 years	USD 150 - 300,000
6 - 10 years	USD 350 - 500,000
More than 10 years	USD 500,000 +

The job location also weighs on the pay packet of healthcare professionals, those working in rural settings get comparatively lower salaries than one's working in urban settings. The table below gives some of the average salaries that experienced radiologists make in different states.

State	Salary
California	USD 450,000
New York	USD 470,000
Texas	USD 390,000
Alabama	USD 370,000

In this profession, having a specialization will contribute to individuals earning higher salaries than their counterparts. Interventional radiologists who undergo an extra year of training and are appraised about fluroscopy and ultrasound methods demand higher salaries than diagnostic radiologists. Hospitals who employ more than one radiologist also offer a unique opportunity for career advancement. Individuals working under such settings can get promoted to managerial positions and earn higher salaries. Statistics have indicated that radiologists who head a team earn salaries that can cross the USD 700,000 per year mark.

Education and Job Description

A radiologist is a qualified physician, so anyone aspiring to become a radiologist has to take up subjects like biology, physics, chemistry, etc., in undergraduate study. Then you will have to get in to an accredited medical school and complete a 4-year physicians program. On completion, students will have to take up a residency program in radiology. Hospitals offer residencies that can last up to 4 years. Students can then acquire certification from either the American Board of Radiology or the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology. Universities also offer specialization opportunities in fields like pediatrics and nuclear medicine.

Radiologists play an important role in diagnosing patients with the help of medical imagery. They use medical equipment like computed tomography (CT) scan machines and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. Radiologists also ready the patients with the help of technicians for CT scans and X-rays. Covering the patients with radiation shields before the diagnostic tests is an important task of the radiologist. They will also use radioactive substances to get images that may prove vital for diagnosing the patient's problem.

Individuals with attention to details and interpersonal skills will do well in this profession, as the job involves interpreting computer images, and interacting with patients and other doctors. If earning money is your main motivation, then this job is for you.