It’s a reality that many of us have had to come face-to-face with: the cost of a college education.
Whatever career or profession you are interested in pursuing, the college education and training that comes with it is definitely a major financial investment that you will have to consider, weighing the options and thinking about whether you will get your investment back, and be able to repay the student loans which you will inevitably have to incur as you get your college education.
Medical School Costs More
This reality is even more daunting if you are considering a medical profession. Many of the higher-tier medical careers require a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field of study, four years of medical school, at least a year of internship, a few years of resident training, and other field-related training and experience.
On the average, at least ten years of education is the requirement for many health care specializations, and this is the case for aspiring radiologists as well.
Naturally, if you are thinking of pursuing a career in radiology, you would want to know if this is actually something that would be worth your financial investment, as well as the time and effort you will put into the whole endeavor. After all, who wants to labor for so many years and work tirelessly to put oneself through many years of school and training, only to realize in the end that the profession itself is not as rewarding as one thought?
The Payoff
On the average, radiologists today enjoy many benefits and a higher average salary compared to other professionals in the medical industry. In the United States, the average yearly salary of a radiologist is around $216,000. If you are able to go through the many years of education and skills training and eventually become a radiologist, it is a financially lucrative profession.
Also, certain specializations within the field of radiology itself, such as interventional radiology or radiation oncology, command higher salaries because they are more complicated.
Outsourcing: Is There a Negative Effect?
A recent concern among some people interested in radiology careers is the growing outsourcing trend in radiology. Technology has made it possible for hospitals and other medical facilities to outsource films and other tests to other countries, and this is causing concern among locally-employed radiology professionals who fear that their jobs are at stake.
However, it appears that the trend is being spurred because there is actually a growing demand for radiologists and other radiology-related practitioners, and the supply of qualified professionals is not enough to meet the demand.
Different Careers Within Radiology
One thing to remember is that there are different careers within radiology that you can choose. While radiologists have to undergo lengthier and more rigorous training for their practice, other careers in the field such as radiologic technicians and technologists do not require you to have to go through the many years of medical school and resident training.
They are equally as in-demand and with much employment and advancement opportunities for qualified candidates, but without taking as big of an investment of time and effort.