Technician Salary

The key in determining the technician salary is first knowing the kind of work that specific technician does and which industry the technician works in. A technician salary varies across work description and industry.

Below are the kinds of technicians, their job descriptions and salaries.

Health and Medical Technician Salary

Ultrasound Technician Salary

An ultrasound technician assists the radiologists and physicians perform diagnostic ultrasound exams in OB, abdominal and vascular areas. He or she operates, maintains and configures the ultrasound equipment ensuring the quality of images. Also, an ultrasound technician provides adequate supplies to the ultrasound room and produces exam documentations.

Aspiring ultrasound technicians should have a course completion in Ultrasound Technology from an accredited institution, and knowledge in the ultrasound process and operating the equipment.

An Ultrasound technician salary ranges from USD 45,000 – USD 69,000 per year. The salary depends on work experience, type of medical facility and location.

Pharmacy Technician Salary

A pharmacy technician prepares medications for customers and patients in hospital, retail and mail to order pharmacies. He or she assists the pharmacist in processing prescriptions such as labeling prescription medications and counting pills. Pharmacy technician may also have to perform clerical duties as answering phone calls, receiving prescriptions by snail or electronic mail and assisting customers inquiring for drug information.

Aspiring pharmacy technicians should have at least a high-school diploma. An enrolment in a pharmacy technician program and certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board would also help.

The pharmacy technician salary varies according to experience and type of employment facility. Entry level pharmacy technician earns USD 15,000 – USD 22,000. Intermediate level pharmacy technician earns USD 23,000 – USD 33,000 while senior or supervisory level pharmacy technician earns USD 35,000 – USD 48,000 per year.

X Ray Technician1 150x150 Technician Salary

X-ray Technician Salary

X-ray Technician Salary

An x-ray technician is responsible for configuring an x-ray machine to prescribed specifications, regulating the intensity and length of film exposure, developing, fixing, washing and drying of exposed films. He or she also captures the patient’s body parts on x-rays films as requested by physicians, delivers x-ray films to physicians, maintains radiographic films, supplies and equipment, and regularly checks equipments for repairs or replacements.

An aspiring x-ray technician should have a high school diploma or certificate of education in x-ray or radiological technology from an accredited institution and capability to operate x-ray equipments.

An x-ray technician salary is estimated at USD 35,700 – USD 75,440 annually.

Government data says an x-ray technician from a hospital earns around USD 54,770 while a technician from a physician’s office earns around USD 50,860. A technician from a diagnostic laboratory earns around USD 57,250 and a technician from a research laboratory earns around USD 64,800.

EKG Technician Salary

An EKG technician or electrocardiographic technician performs cardiovascular tests on patients by operating test equipment recording electrical impulses transmitted by a patient’s heart. EKG technician places electrodes on patient’s chest, arms and legs to acquire a record that will be given to the physician. The physician will then analyze it to determine irregular heartbeats and possible heart diseases.

Aspiring EKG technician should have a high-school diploma. A certificate in EKG technology and an on-the-job training under an EKG supervisor or a cardiologist would also help.

The average EKG technician salary is USD 47,010 per year while some earn as low as USD 32,800 and as high as USD 74,760. This depends on skills, training, experience, location and type of employment facility.

Radiology Technician Salary

A radiology technician performs CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, computed tomography and magnetic resonance, and administers nonradioactive materials in patient’s bloodstream for diagnostic purposes. He or she operates the magnetic and radiologic imaging equipments to produce images of the patient’s body for diagnostic purposes. The technician explains the procedures to the patients and makes them comfortable while undergoing it. He or she also regularly checks the equipments for repairs and distributes the results to the physician who requested the procedure.

An aspiring radiology technician should have a high school diploma, certificate in radiology technology, and knowledge in operating and troubleshooting radiographic equipment and the diagnostic procedures.

The average radiology technician salary ranges from USD 43,943 – USD 52,474 annually. There are also those who earn as low as USD 40,295 and as high as USD 56,526. It varies according to work experience and type of medical field such as hospital, orthopedic surgery and radiology. The differences are small but technicians working in hospital make the most money compared to others.

MRI Technician Salary

An MRI technician operates the MRI or magnetic resonance imaging machine that takes detailed images of affected human body structures and tissues. He or she mostly works at hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers. Technicians explains the procedures to the patients, guides them through it and makes them comfortable undergoing it. He or she is also responsible for altering imaging parameters and choosing software options while adjusting the scanner.

Aspiring MRI technician should have a high school diploma and a degree or certificate in radiologic technology.

MRI technician salary is estimated to start from USD 39,305 – USD 50,000 per year. A technician with a year’s experience earns USD 37,232 – USD 53,493 while a technician for five years earns USD 49,726 – USD 62,138. A technician for ten years earns USD 51,282 – USD 77,389 while a technician for twenty years USD 57,914 – USD 71,768.

Type of employer and employment facility also contribute to the technician salary. Hospitals pay around USD 40,695 – USD 61,374. Federal government pays USD 35,375 – USD 50,868. Private clinics pay USD 46,202 – USD 68,400. Private companies pay USD 47,173 – USD 68,728. Health care centers pay USD 40,695 – USD 69,609. Radiology clinics pay USD 47,000 – USD 63,772.

State and gender also affect the salary. It is reported that technicians in California get the highest pay and males receive higher compensation than females.

Dialysis Technician Salary

A dialysis technician operates dialysis machines that remove wastes within patients’ blood. The patient suffers from kidney failure that disabled his or her body to properly excrete wastes. The machine does the job the kidneys unable to do.

The technician also prepares the patient for the treatment that lasts three to four hours. He or she takes note of the patients’ medical history, checks blood pressure and pulse rate, and monitors him or her during treatment. The technician also has to make sure the equipments are in good shape.

Aspiring dialysis technician should have a high school diploma. A certificate from a dialysis technician training school and an on-the-job training would also help.

A dialysis technician salary depends on location, experience, training and type of employment facility. The average income of a dialysis technician is USD 26,000 – USD 34,000 annually. It could get higher when one gain more training and work experience.

Dental Technician Salary

A dental technician manufactures dental prosthetics such as crowns, bridges and dentures according to the dentist’s specifications. He or she makes a model of the patient’s mouth though plaster, examines it and takes note of the patient’s bite, surrounding teeth, gum line and other important details. He or she also molds a wax model of patient’s teeth, forms teeth with porcelain based on the prepared metal framework and adjusts the color and shape of teeth before baking.

Aspiring dental technician should complete lab trainings from an accredited dental technician school.

The average dental technician salary is USD 29,785 – USD 36,564 per year but there are some who earn more than USD 39,400. The pay increases as one acquire more training and experience in the field. The pay also varies by state.

Anesthesia Technician Salary

An anesthesia technician assists the anesthesiologist in preparing medications and setting up equipments. He or she orders, stocks, tests and maintains anesthesia supplies, medications and equipments. The technician also washes and sterilizes reusable devices and checks for malfunctioning equipment and reports it to appropriate personnel.

Aspiring anesthesia technician should have a related medical degree or completed a training program, and a deep understanding of the standard concepts, practices and procedures in the field.

An anesthesia technician salary ranges from USD 29,996 – USD 39,101 annually. There are also some paid as low as USD 25,997 and as high as USD 43,391.

Surgical Technician Salary

A surgical technician acquires and gathers supplies and equipments according to specialties, and assists the surgical team from donning the surgical gowns to setting up the surgery room equipments and supplies. He or she also assists in patient’s positioning and transportation, operating gas, steam, mechanical and electrical equipments, and maintains and distributes surgical instruments and supplies to operative teams during surgical procedures.

Aspiring surgical technicians should have a certificate of training from an accredited institution.

A surgical technician salary varies across to locations, certification levels and years of experience. The average salary is from USD 32,000 – USD 54,000 per year. Some are paid as low as USD 28,000 and as high as USD 50,000. Surgical technicians in larger hospitals receive the highest compensation.

Sonogram Technician Salary

A sonogram technician produces images and recordings of internal organs. He or she uses the ultrasound machine to obtain an understanding of the patient’s internal condition by producing images showing detailed organ shape, blood and fluid compositions and other bodily volumes that might indicate a health risk.

Aspiring sonogram technician should have a bachelor’s degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and knowledge in operating sonogram equipments and producing high quality ultrasound images.

A sonogram technician salary is around USD 60,000. A beginning sonogram technician earns USD 31,000 – USD 50,000. An experienced technician from one to twenty years earns from USD 35,000 – USD 75,000 annually. The salary also varies from state to state and city to city.

IT and Computer Technician Salary

Computer Technician Salary

A computer technician installs, repairs and maintains computer equipment. He or she assists in designing and implementation of computer networks in workplaces. Also, a computer technician troubleshoots computer hardware and fixes internal circuit problems.

The average computer technician salary depends on work experience, educational degree, type of employer, industry and location. A less experienced technician makes USD 27,000 – USD 40,000 annually. An experienced computer technician makes up to USD 65,000.

A computer technician with a high school diploma earns USD 30,000 – USD 45,000 while one with a bachelor’s degree earns USD 33,000 – USD 50,000.

A computer technician working in government and federal offices makes USD 29,000 – USD 52,000 per year. A computer technician working independently makes USD 35,000 – USD 55,000. This depends on his or her network and popularity in the area.

IT Technician Salary

An IT technician installs and uninstalls software from computer systems and networks. He or she troubleshoots computer equipments, and designs, executes and manages user networks for companies. IT technician makes sure all hardware and software are running properly and recovers lost or deleted data.

Aspiring IT technicians should have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related studies, or an associate’s degree, and a deep understanding of common computer software and systems.

A starting IT technician salary begins at USD 25,000 – USD 35,000. An experienced IT technician salary begins at USD 50,000 – USD 60,000 annually.

Veterinary Technician Salary

A veterinary technician provides day to day care and paramedical treatment to animals and pets. He or she records the breed and age of animals, makes initial evaluation of animal’s condition to determine which further diagnostic and treatment are appropriate and provides overall assistance to veterinarians in treating, checking and following up an animal’s welfare.

An aspiring veterinarian technician should be registered as a State Veterinary Technician. A certificate, training and short courses from veterinary school would also help.

A veterinary technician salary ranges from USD 24,480 – USD 36,300. Some are paid as low as USD 20,500 and as high as USD 44,030.

The technician salary plays a big factor in choosing which kind of technician to pursue. Job description, type of employer and employment facility, years of experience, technical skills, educational degree, specialized training and geographical location all affect the technician salary.