Radiologists are the Physicians (M.D.’s) that do the actual diagnoses of disorders and illnesses of the human body. This is a professional doctor who must obtain a medical degree and complete residency requirements. Radiologist salary is significantly higher than the other positions because of the M.D. designation. In addition, Radiologists are in extremely high demand due to the national shortage of these highly skilled professionals.
| Career | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologists | $75,660 |
| Pharmacists | $124,170 |
| Physicians and Surgeons, All Other | $208,000 |
| Radiologic Technologists | $58,440 |
The job titles in the field of radiology can be very confusing because many of them sound similar. Also, many of the job titles have recently undergone changes in the official medical community. A common misunderstanding is the distinction between a Radiologist and a Radiologic Technologist (R.T.). The main distinction is that a Radiologist is an actual physician (M.D.) and can use radiology technology to diagnoses and treat patients, whereas a Radiologic Technologist is a certified medical imaging professional who specializes in the imaging procedures, but cannot go to the level of diagnoses like the Radiologist M.D. It is for this reason that Radiologist salaries are significantly higher.
| Career | Bottom 10% Annual Wage | Annual Median Wage | Top 10% Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $28,680 | $55,270 | $90,760 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $50,760 | $71,410 | $99,840 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologists | $54,410 | $75,660 | $103,660 |
| Radiologic Technologists | $39,840 | $58,440 | $84,110 |
A Radiologist Assistant must obtain a masters degree from an accredited radiology school. To learn more, jump to the Radiologist Assistant Overview page and find a school offering a radiology bachelor’s or masters program.
To compare salaries for all radiology positions, go to our radiology salary overview page, or to compare radiology career paths, go to our radiology careers page and find the right fit for you.