Radiologist Salary - Bright Futures

According to a report the average radiologist salary reportedly ranges from USD192,000 per annum to USD 386,000 per annum. Since there is a shortage of radiologists (though the decline rate has eased up in recent times) starting salaries and employment inducements increased last year for radiologists, though overall salaries remained at same levels. According to one report on "increased starting salaries for radiologists" (2004), the starting radiologist salary averaged $350,979 and average billing for temporary radiologists averaged $2,137 which was the third highest among the specialties listed in the report. Radiology figured in and sixth and seventh ranks as the most in-demand as well. For all aspirants for the job of a radiologist the future looks bright.

Now what does a radiologist do? As a radiologist you are expected to diagnose and treat diseases using radiologic imaging procedures. To be a radiologist you would need a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), one to two years as a junior house surgeon in a hospital and about five years in a radiology department training to be a specialist. Residency training program for radiology has a minimum of four years in diagnostic radiology with at least six months in Nuclear Radiology. The other year should have clinical training in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery or surgical specialties, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Neurology, Family Practice, or Emergency Medicine. Subspecialty certification in Abdominal Radiology, Cardio thoracic Radiology, Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology, Musculoskeletal Radiology, Neuroradiology, Nuclear Radiology, Pediatric Radiology and Vascular and Interventional Radiology occupies one year of additional training and examination.

The three major specializations that physicians opt for are diagnostic radiology, radiation oncology, or radiological physics. Diagnostic radiologists use x-ray, radionuclides, ultrasound, and electromagnetic radiation to diagnose and treat disease, radiation oncologists deal with the study and management of disease, especially malignant tumors though therapeutic applications of radiant energy and radiological physicists deal with diagnosis and therapy of roentgen rays, gamma rays from sealed sources, ultrasonic radiation, and radio-frequency radiation. The radiological physicist also deals with the equipment associated with their production and use, including radiation safety.

As we said, the future looks bright for radiologists.