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

[GilbertDaddy]

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:

[bluesnurse]

Usually when you hear about a tech making 100K+ a year, they usually are in cardiac sonography and have also specialized in vascular or PEDS. One of those specializations or both jack their hourly rates through the roof.

I respectfully disagree. Starting pay for cardiac sonographers is close to that of RNs, maybe a little more depending on demand in your area. And with budgets so tight right now, I don't know of any systems that are raising hourly rates beyond modest cost-of-living increases. (This is in the US; can't speak for other countries.)

It is possible to make $100K+ as an echo tech IF you are experienced and ARDMS registered. The ways to do that include 1) travel, 2) taking a LOT of call and/or overtime, and 3) freelance work that pays by the study. With the latter, you're going to be 1099, so get ready for a big hit at tax time -- plus you'll have to cover your own medical benefits.

It can be a great career; it's interesting and "clean" compared to nursing. But if your heart is set on six figures, you're better off going to med school. I'm an RN and RDCS and am speaking from experience.

Also -- to the OP -- nursing and medical imaging are two completely different fields with different courses of study. RNs may have done OJT into radiography or sonography in the past, but it's become rare. Imaging labs require registered techs for accreditation (read:reimbursement). The registry exams are *tough* and have strict prerequisites.

Best wishes with whatever you decide!

[mysticalfliprt]

you nurses crack me up. basically most of you are saying you believe technologists in the radiology field don't deserve to get salaries like nurses do and think all we do is just take pictures. no its okay ive heard it before from nurses and they are my great family and exes. im a technologist in the field and quite young believe it or not. if you still don't believe what i will say, thats okay and that is fine. my sister who is a nurse for ten years in Montefiore Hospital in NY would always say behind my back, "Oh please, he won't ever earn anything in radiology." I still remember those kind words. I love nurses don't get me wrong. You guys work hard and deserve every cent you get especially the ones who are efficient and love what they do! You are the rock of the medical field but you are not the only ones in the field also. I remember my physician's wife was accessing my BP and had the nerve to say, "I don't understand why MRI techs earn $35 per hour as much as us." Back then, I wasn't as knowledgeable as I am right now and I would have said, "Well because we deserve it and we have to know the abstract MR physics in order to get a diagnostic image than just pressing a "button", pathology, and hell we can kill a patient if we do not know what we are doing!" We do have to communicate still in nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, radiography, IR, and etc. I think if I told you how much I earn in 37 hrs, your jaw will drop and this is my first job PET/CT job with jaw dropping bennies. Why we earn the way we do? Simple, radiation also. Ciao. BTW, I solely believe nurses should get more than they should but we should also but really the respect will do.