Which Is Better – Xray, Nuclear Med, Or Mri?
Ok, so I’m about 99% sure that I’m going to sign up for a radiologic technology program, and I am torn between a further concentration in nuclear medicine or MRI. I have a bachelors in psych and we reviewed many studies which used nuclear medicine scans of the brain which were amazing, and I work in a hospital, so I have encountered many MRIs. Both produce vivid images, but which is better to do as a career? or is it easier to find job placement by staying as an xray tech? Difference in salary??
Thanks!
Posted on October 18, 2009 at 9:38 pm by radiology · Permalink
In: MRI Technician Jobs · Tagged with: Better, Nuclear, Which, Xray
In: MRI Technician Jobs · Tagged with: Better, Nuclear, Which, Xray
on October 18, 2009 at 10:14 pm
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A X ray Tech Salary is usually a little under $50,000 per year. The X ray Tech Salary for a typical Nuclear Medicine Technician in the United States is $61,681. A MRI Tech makes around $59,469$ per year. I would suggest being a MRI tech because your not exposed to radiation.
on October 18, 2009 at 11:13 pm
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I’ve been a CT Tech for about 22 years and have taught Radiologic Technology. Nuc Med school is separate and you don’t need to be a x-ray tech first but most MRI techs are ‘on the job trained’ x-ray techs. So you would have to go to x-ray school and then try and find someplace that would cross train you. One other thing to consider is that I have noticed a downward turn in the number of exams that nuc med is doing. CT for instance has taken away the VQ scan (looking for blood clots) and the GI Bleed scans will probably go away in the next year or so. Our nuc med departments numbers are down about 15%. But they do make more money. If your looking for cash in imaging I might suggest Ultra Sound. Again no radiation.