Medical Technician Salary Information
Medical technician positions are varied and include medical laboratory technicians, radiologic technicians, ultrasound technicians (diagnostic medical sonographers), emergency medical technicians and paramedics, and medical records and health information technicians. The training and salary varies for different types of medical technician careers and by geographic location.
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Medical Laboratory Technician
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Medical laboratory technicians perform medical tests such as urinalysis, blood tests and tissue tests to diagnose disease. Medical laboratory technicians have at least a two-year degree and many also earn Certified Medical Laboratory certification from a national certifying agency like the American Society for Clinical Pathology. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 2010 hourly wages for medical lab technicians range from $11.29 to $25.73, with top pay in Rhode Island, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland and New York.
Radiologic Technicians
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x-ray Radiologic technicians work with diagnostic imaging equipment like X-ray machines, MRI and mammography equipment performing scans and adjusting and maintaining equipment. Radiologic technicians receive varying levels of training and education, including certificate, associate degree and bachelor degree programs and state licensing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 2010 hourly wages for radiologic technicians range from $16.87 to $36.04, with top pay in Massachusetts, Nevada, Maryland, New Jersey and California.
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Utrasound Technicians (Diagnostic Medical Sonographers)
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Ultrasound technicians, or diagnostic medical sonographers, use specialized equipment to direct sound waves into the body and convert them into video and computer images for diagnosis. There are different specialties within ultrasound like obstetric and gynecologic, abdominal, neuro and breast sonography. Ultrasound technicians prepare with associate or bachelor degrees, and may become registered by one of several different certifying agencies like the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 2010 hourly wages for ultrasound technicians range from $20.96 to $40.36, with top pay in Oregon, Washington, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Alaska.
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
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Emergency medical technicians and paramedics provide emergency medical care at the scene of accidents and injuries and during transportation to medical and trauma facilities. They use special equipment like stretchers and backboards to immobilize and move patients and perform emergency medical treatments like CPR, administering oxygen and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. There are different levels of qualification and training to become an emergency medical technician and more advanced medical training to become a paramedic. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 2010 hourly wages for emergency medical technicians and paramedics range from $9.08 to $23.77, with top pay in Hawaii, Alaska, the District of Columbia, Oregon and Maryland.
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
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Medical records and health information technicians work with special medical and insurance coding and with doctor's orders and dictation to be transcribed with computers and electronic equipment. They file, arrange and manage patient records accurately and efficiently. Medical records and health information technicians usually have an associate's degree In health information technology and may also become credentialed by the American Health Information Management Association as a Registered Health Information Technician. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 2010 hourly wages for medical records and health information technicians range from $9.83 to $24.07, with top pay in New Jersey, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland and Alaska.
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- Photo Credit medical bottles image by Ragne Kabanova from Fotolia.com x-ray image by Claudio Calcagno from Fotolia.com
