Gannon University | Employment Outlook

Career Paths: Radiology provides many opportunities for professional growth. Job opportunities exist in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, industry, sales, education and research. With experience and additional training, radiologic technologists may become certified in and perform CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), mammography, or bone densitometry. A Bachelor of Science degree may be obtained in education, medical imaging or management. Master of Science degree programs may be obtained in these areas as well. Technologists with 3 years of experience can apply to educational programs to become a radiologist assistant.
Salary ranges vary depending on experience and location. In the Erie area, the registered radiologic technologist can enter the job market at approximately $37,000 annually with differentials based on evening and weekend work shifts (doctor’s offices and imaging centers may be less).
The job placement rate for graduates averages 85% over the past 5 years.
According the Bureau of Labor Statistics division of U.S. Department of Labor, “employment of radiologic technologists is expected to increase by about 17 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. As the population grows and ages, there will be an increasing demand for diagnostic imaging. With age comes increased incidence of illness and injury, which often requires diagnostic imaging for diagnosis. In addition to diagnosis, diagnostic imaging is used to monitor the progress of disease treatment. With the increasing success of medical technologies in treating disease, diagnostic imaging will increasingly be needed to monitor progress of treatment. In addition to job growth, job openings also will arise from the need to replace technologists who leave the occupation. Those with knowledge of more than one diagnostic imaging procedure—such as CT, MR, and mammography—will have the best employment opportunities as employers seek to control costs by using multi-credentialed employees. Demand for radiologic technologists and technicians can tend to be regional with some areas having large demand, while other areas are saturated. Technologists willing to relocate may have better job prospects.