Career Paths in Medical Imaging
The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) defines Allied Health as health professions distinct from medicine and nursing. Diagnostics Imaging is a rewarding career option under the allied health umbrella.
What is Medical Imaging?
Medical imaging, also known as diagnostic imaging, refers to a variety of different non-invasive technologies used to look inside the body, that makes it possible to see how inner organs are functioning, joints are moving and much more.
Medical imaging technology has been listed by peer-reviewed medical journals as among the top medical developments of the past 1,000 years.
Specializations in Medical Imaging
Among the many medical imaging specializations, radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are popular career options. Radiography is the building block for many educational paths and careers in medical imaging including CT and MRI, which are specializations for licensed radiographers). Educational training programs to further specialize in radiography require national certification or years of experience for admission into their programs and employers often prefer experience as a radiographer.
As health care occupations are projected to drastically increase in the next decade, medical imaging clinicians will be in demand. A career in medical imaging provides opportunities to build a rewarding career in a variety of settings and to play a critical role in health care.
Medical Imaging Job Outlook
The following occupation outlooks for radiologic, CT and MRI technologists come from the :
- Radiologic technologists:
- The annual median pay is $61,900.
- The job outlook shows faster growth than average with a predicted growth of 7% by 2029.
- Career opportunities are available in hospitals, imaging centers, private medical offices, and research, and industry companies associated with radiography.
- CT technologists:
- The annual median annual is $63,710.
- The job outlook shows faster growth than average, with a predicted growth of 9% by 2029.
- Career opportunities are found in hospitals, imaging centers, private medical offices and industry companies associated with CT.
- MRI technologists:
- The annual median pay is $74,690.
- Job outlooks is faster than average, with predicted growth of 9% by 2029.
- Career opportunities are found in hospitals, specialized physician clinics, medical and diagnostic laboratories, imaging centers, mobile imaging and industry companies associated with MRI.