Radiologist’s Salary

What is a radiologist?

A radiologist is a health service professional who is trained in radiology, a field of specialization in medicine which deals with diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the human body (particularly the organs) that can be detected through imaging devices.Radiologists interpret images that were captured using technological tools which include, but are not limited to the following: x-ray radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or computed axial tomography (CAT), positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These medical devices vary in sensitivity and accuracy. Each of them can be used by skilled radiologists based on the individual requirements of the patient.

What is a radiologist’s salary like?

In the medical field, a radiologist’s salary can be considered as relatively competitive in scale. As physicians, radiologists are among the country’s most well-compensated professionals, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics itself.

Salary.com, a career management portal that offers industry-wide information about salaries of various professionals, reports that in June 2011, the national median for a radiologist’s salary is worth a little over $400,000, with the upper 10 percent pocketing $403,488 for practicing their profession. Even the lowest 10 percent’s estimated $273,665 salary is still higher than most practitioners in the same field.

What factors can increase a radiologist’s salary?

There are several factors that promote the high salary of a radiologist. Below are some of the more important examples:

Sub-speciality – A radiologist’s salary is likely to increase significantly if he chooses to invest additional time and specialize in the field. Physicians who choose to spend extra years studying interventional radiology (IR) or Vascular and Interventional Radiology (VIR) can gain skills and experience in conducting minimal-invasive procedures in patients. The extra skill acquired in diagnosing and treating a patient’s organ system can thereafter translate to extra income for the radiologist.

High demand –In the medical field’s attempt to keep up with technology, the need for skilled professionals who can utilize instruments to capture high-quality medical images and interpret it grows. Radiologists are seen as important pillars in the medical profession whose skills can greatly contribute to improving the health of a patient. For these reasons, a radiologist’s salary is high.
Area of practice –In most cases, a radiologist’s salary is higher in private practice, but remunerations such as good retirement packages offered in the government setting is also worthwhile. Ultimately, it is the radiologist’s choice to have a high salary that’s monetary or benefits-based.

Location – Some states offer more competitive salary rates compared to others. A radiologist’s geographical choice on where to live and practice is another determining factor in increasing his salary.

However, it must be noted that before a radiologist enjoys a competitive salary, investments must first be made on years of education and gaining experience. As a physician, a radiologist typically needs to undergo four years of undergraduate studies before proceeding to four more years of medical school. These are followed by a year of internship, about four years of radiology residency and finally another year of two of sub-specialization fellowship.