Radiologist Salary – Overview
Radiologists are similar to any other physicians. Their primary job is to examine patients, figure out appropriate treatment processes, and prescribe required medication. Radiologic technology applies medical imaging techniques to identify the problem and determine an appropriate patient treatment plan.
Medical imaging technology includes ultrasound, breast imaging and mammography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), X-ray, computed tomography (CT), and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). These tests can help a radiologist understand the problem and find an appropriate solution. They use radiation treatments for different conditions, especially for cancer.
What is a Radiologist?
A radiologist is a medical professional who has a specialization in diagnosis and treatment using medical imaging technology and radiology procedures.
A radiologist has multiple roles and responsibilities in the medical world-
- They can evaluate your medical condition and medical history and make sure that an imaging procedure can not harm you in any way.
- They can interpret the results of any medical imaging test.
- They can compare your medical image findings with any other tests or examinations.
- They can figure out the required imaging tests for your condition and use that test results to make a treatment plan.
- They are eligible to write reports of any diagnosis.
- They can recommend any additional treatments or medical examinations when required.
- They offer treatment procedures using imaging techniques or radiation technology.
What is the Salary of a Radiologist?
According to a survey in 2019, radiologists are one of the top-earning physicians. Their annual salary is somewhere near $401,000 in most scenarios. The amount can keep increasing with the growing population of the US. The survey also indicates that 55% of radiologists in the US prefer to work in different hospitals.
The gender gap can somehow affect the salary structure of a radiologist. According to the survey of 2019, a male and a female radiologist earn around $431,000 and $375,000, respectively.
Male radiologists generally earn 15% more than female radiologists. Male radiologists spend around 33 hours a week with their patients, whereas female radiologists work around 28 hours weekly. However, 79% of the radiologists who took the survey were male.
A radiologist often earns more than a radiologic technician or a radiographer. However, different companies may have different payrolls for their radiologists. The salary structure may also vary depending on their experience, efficiency, and geographical location.
How to Become a Radiologist?
Almost every physician must complete a minimum of four years of undergraduate school, four years of medical school, and 3-7 years of internship and residency programs, depending on their specialty.
To become a radiologist, a person must have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 4-6 years of experience. A radiologist must have certain skill sets, including good communication skills and the ability to pay attention to details.
3 Types of Radiology and the Salary Difference
Radiologist Salary – Types of Radiology and the Salary Difference
The three primary subspecialties of radiology are radiation oncology, interventional radiology, and diagnostic radiology. Your salary can change depending on your area of expertise as well.
1. Diagnostic Radiology
The study of diagnostic radiology can also be called radiodiagnosis. A majority of radiologists deal with different medical imaging technologies, including CT scans, X-rays, PET scans, USG, etc.
A diagnostic radiologist can also work as a consultant to a surgeon, physician, and radiology equipment operator. They can work as a technologist in different private or government medical institutions.
- A diagnostic radiologist can interpret your diagnostic image and offer an appropriate diagnosis.
- They can monitor and understand how your body is reacting to your current treatment plan.
- They can screen for different conditions like colon cancer, breast cancer, or heart disease.
2. Interventional Radiology
The job description of an interventional radiologist is slightly different than a diagnostic radiologist. Their salary structure is often lower than a diagnostic radiologist, depending on the location of the job. An interventional radiologist can use medical imaging techniques to help guide different procedures.
An interventional radiologist can offer a treatment plan for different conditions-
- Tumors or cancers
- Back pain
- Uterine fibroids
- Blockages in your veins or arteries
- Kidney or liver problems
3. Radiation Oncology
A radiation oncologist has the expertise and eligibility to offer radiation therapy to treat cancer and some noncancerous conditions. Their salary structure is often higher than a diagnostic radiologist or an interventional radiologist.
Radiation therapy is a treatment process where an oncologist uses radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy can also prevent cancer cells from dividing and growing. A radiation oncologist can determine and prevent the severity of cancer. They can also suggest an appropriate treatment plan for different cancer types and help achieve fast recovery.
Work Experience and Salary of a Radiologist
The salary of a radiologist may differ according to their work experience. With years of experience and regular practice, radiologists can improve their skills and efficiency. Their reputation and expertise can increase with the years they have worked as a professional.
The time and effort they invest in their work can help them to achieve recognition and success. Patients always prefer trusting a medical professional with more work experience. Years of personal contact with patients and colleagues can also improve job security and reliability.
Conclusion
A radiologist can diagnose and offer treatment for different conditions using radiation therapy or medical imaging techniques. Numerous elements, such as their geographic location, field of expertise, level of experience, and place of employment, may affect their salary structure.
The demand for these specialized services is constantly increasing despite the wide range of pay, which is good news for jobs in radiology. The primary reason behind this demand is an aging population.
See Also
How to Become a Teleradiologist?
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