For an interventional radiologist, the financial prospects are anything but disappointing. To know the trends, read through this article where we have explained how much one can make in a year.
Interventional or diagnostic radiology is a sub-specialty of radiology that is dedicated to the imaging, diagnosis, and treatment of patients, by bringing into use slightly invasive interventional technology. The treatment of blood vessels, biopsy procedures, removal of uterine fibroid, fluid, and abscess drainage can be performed with the help of X-rays, fluoroscopy, MRI, CT scans, and ultrasound. Such treatments allow lifesaving procedures to be performed in patients who are physically unfit for laparoscopic and other surgical techniques. This is a new career, and hence, many undergraduate programs don’t have it registered in their curriculum.
Average Pay Scale
Interventional radiologists are one of the highest paid specialists in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2003, according to a survey, this field saw a sudden rise in opportunities, and experienced a larger percentage increase in salary compared to any other medical health specialty. On an average, these professionals can make as much as USD 220,000 annually. Well, it might also astonish you that according to some respected sources, the average salary for this profession is among the highest for medical postings in the country.
| State/City | Average Salary (in USD) |
| New York | USD 242,000 |
| California | USD 223,000 |
| Atlanta | USD 217,000 |
| Chicago | USD 217,000 |
| Denver | USD 189,000 |
| Pittsburgh | USD 171,000 |
The best thing about a career in this field is that you can not only work full-time, but part-time too. However, the pay scale varies in accordance with the workplace as well as the number of years of relevant experience that a person has.
How to Become an Interventional Radiologist
An aspiring interventional radiologists begins his educational journey at an accredited medical university by opting for a major in a scientific field, for example, biology, chemistry, or physics. Here, he will get acquainted with the basics of human anatomy, and practical medicine. After completing the four-year bachelor’s degree course, the aspirant is required to take a national medical college admission test, post which he will be enrolled in a medical school to lay a foundation for his career. Disease pathology, biochemistry, etc., are the key subjects that the aspirant will learn. After that, the individual is required to earn a doctor of medicine degree, and apply for the radiology residency program, the duration for which is four years. During this program, the person gets to work with skilled radiologists, and also learns how to use ultrasounds, X-rays, MRIs, and CTs. After the completion of the residency program, the aspirant gets a chance to sit in the national licensing examination, from where he can begin working as an independent practitioner.
The results, not only financially, but personally too, are extremely fruitful. If gazing into a human body has been your interest, radiology has countless number of opportunities waiting for you to grab with both hands. Career prospects are great, the salary range is enviable, and the job profile is definitely interesting.