Medical imaging technology is used to provide a view into a patient's body so that physicians can make an accurate diagnosis of her condition. There are several careers available to those interested in working in the field of medical imaging. These jobs typically require an associate or bachelor's degree, although those with prior medical training might need only a one-year program.
Diagnostic medical sonographers use sound waves to produce images of the human body. Many specialize in certain parts of the body. For instance, breast sonography supports the diagnosis of breast cancer. Neurosonographers produce pictures of the brain, and gynecological sonographers produce images of a growing fetus to ensure that both the child and mother are healthy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that diagnostic medical sonographers earned a median salary of $64,380 per year as of 2010.
X-ray technicians, sometimes called radiographers, produce images of patients in order to diagnose conditions such as broken bones and diseases of the mouth. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, emergency rooms, physician's offices and dentist offices. Because X-ray machines produce radiation, it is the responsibility of X-ray technicians to protect both themselves and their patients through the use of protective clothing such as lead vests. According to a salary survey published by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, radiographers earned an average of $53,953 per year as of 2010.
MRI technicians operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. These are large machines that scan a patient's full body using magnetic and radio waves. MRI machines provide a pretty complete picture of bodily health, and are often used to search for anomalies in soft tissue such as the brain and other organs that do not show up in X-rays. According to the ASRT, the average annual income of an MRI technician was $65,098 as of 2010.
CT technicians use large X-ray machines called CTG scanners to produce a series of three-dimensional images of a patient's body. CT scans are most frequently ordered to check for the presence of tumors or cancerous tissue in various parts of the body. Because this machine produces radiation, CT technicians operate it remotely from an adjoining room. The average salary for CT technicians was $60,586 as of 2010, according to the ASRT.
Mammographers specialize in the operation of mammography machines, which produce images of women's breasts using low-dose X-rays. Annual mammographies are used to screen for breast cancer in women after the age of 40. Women who have abnormal lumps in their breasts may also receive diagnostic mammographies outside of their annual checkups. The ASRT reports that mammographers earned an average of $60,263 per year as of 2010.
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