The average wage for radiologic technologists (RTs) fell 2% in 2009 compared to 2008, and "dozens of new graduates" are unable to find employment, according to a report released this week on compensation for allied health professionals.
Allied health recruiting firm RadSciences Group of McKinney, TX, said that based on job offers from its clients, the average wage was $26.60 an hour in specialties accredited by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), including CT, MRI, mammography, nuclear medicine, and other modalities.
That compares to an average wage of $27.20 an hour for RTs in 2008. In the most current report, the company noted a low wage of $20.10 an hour and a high wage of $32.00 an hour. The situation was slightly better for sonographers, with a low wage of $23.50, an average wage of $29.90, and a high wage of $37.70.
The report indicates that many new graduates of allied health schools are running into a tough job market, as many hospitals are slow to hire and expand staff due to the economy.
"We believe that available jobs for medical imaging professionals will continue to suffer as long as schools continue to produce new graduates at the current rate," the report states. "With many hospitals slow to hire and expand services, the numbers of new graduates who are unable to find work are beginning to amass."
On the bright side, RadSciences founds signs of life in the fourth quarter of 2009, with a slight increase in job orders. The company said it will monitor the situation for signs that hospitals are continuing to expand, rather than just "managing attrition."
Related Reading
Report: RT jobs 'disappeared' in 2008, March 24, 2009
Job survey shows growing sonographer demand, February 28, 2008
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