Published November 3, 2011 | 
Medical Technicians are the first response team on the scene of a crime or accident, and are responsible for saving the lives of millions of people across the country. These professionals are formally trained, certified, and/or licensed in their particular state. Most often, they work 24 hours a day and have irregular working hours. Therefore the best salaries are predicated on the technician’s ability to progressively gain training and experience, while also being able to work under pressure, and yet still remain focused and alert.
Training and Experience: The Impact on Salary
As stated above, many people’s lives depend on the quick reaction and competent care of medical technicians. Emergency incidents can range anywhere from heart attacks, car accidents, childbirth, and gunshot wounds that require immediate medical attention. Ultimately, medical technicians are responsible for transporting any sick or injured patients to a medical center to get continued care. Nonetheless, medical technicians must have the knowledge and capacity to assess a patient’s health while managing any respiratory, cardiac, and/or trauma conditions.
Beyond these general duties, medical technician’s salaries are based on specific responsibilities that depend on their level of qualification and training. Most importantly, individuals must check their particular state for certification requirements as each state has their own set certification programs and licensure requirements.
Future Demand for Medical Technicians
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical technician careers are expected to grow about as fast as average occupations within the next 5 to 8 years. Most importantly, job openings will be abundant in cities and at private ambulance firms.
Alternatively, competition will be stiff when seeking employment in governmental jobs such as fire, police and independent third party Departments Rescue Squads. This is usually due to the fact that they offer better salaries and benefits, and thus more experienced professionals are seeking employment there. Nonetheless for those who have advanced training and certification, they will be able to enjoy successful careers as clients and patients require a higher level of medical care prior to being admitted to a medical facility.
Medical Technician Salaries
All things considered, median hourly earnings for medical technicians were approximately $14.10 in 2008. Specifically, the middle 50 percent earned between $11.13 and $18.28. While the median hourly wage for industries employing the most medical technicians was $12.99, local government sectors paid approximately $15.45. In any event, salaries depend largely on the occupation and geographic location, as well as education and work experience of the professional.
In summary, medical technician salaries vary at many levels and are dependent on a variety of factors. All in all, everyone agrees that the highest paid professionals are ones that have above average training and a sizeable amount of experience. Therefore this would be a great career for someone who is capable of handling pressure, can think critically, and remain calm at all times.
Published November 2, 2011 | Veterinary technicians are to veterinarians what nurses are to doctors. The public expects quality veterinary services for their pets. Veterinary technicians ensure that medical services for pets are rendered correctly and efficiently to give pets the long lives their owner’s desire.
There were approximately 80,000 veterinary technicians and technologist employed in the United States in May of 2010. Of the employed, the average annual wage earned was $14.92. The lowest 10% earned $9.85 and the highest 10% earned $21.17 per hour. The amount earned depends on many variables including the type of employment, the amount of experience and the area of the country where the technician was employed.
Technicians in the lowest 10% of pay earned $20,500 a year salary. The average salary of veterinary technicians in 2010 was $31,030. The highest annual salary for technicians was $44,030.
About 73,000 technicians in the field worked in veterinarian’s offices. Those working in veterinarian offices earned about $30,450 a year. That averages out to be about $14.64 an hour. However, there are other job opportunities available and the amount of salary changes depending on the place of employment.
Approximately 2,270 technicians worked in colleges, universities and other professional schools. The average hourly salary of these technicians was $17.95 an hour. Yearly, this hourly compensation rate averages out to about $37,330 a year for technicians working in an educational setting.
About 1,230 technicians worked in the field of scientific research firms. These technicians earned about $37,700 a year on average. Hourly, their wages were about $18.12 an hour.
There were about 603 federal government jobs for veterinary technicians as of 2010. These technicians earned a higher wage at $23.28 per hour. Their average yearly wage amounted to $48,430. There were only about 90 jobs for technicians with various state governments. These technicians earned $22.62 which amounted to $47,060 a year.
Technicians working in Connecticut averaged the highest average salaries at $36,680 a year. Closely behind Connecticut technicians were New York technicians who earned about $17.57 or $36,540 a year. The lowest state earners were in Texas. Veterinarian technicians in Texas earned $13.45 an hour or $27,980 a year on average.
Specific regions around the country were better or worse for technicians, as opposed to the overall state averages. Technicians in the White Plains, NY area earned the highest for specific regions at $37,820 a year or $18.18 an hour. Technicians in Atlanta, GA earned the least with an average salary of $26,330 a year or $12.66 an hour.
Published November 1, 2011 | A paramedic is an individual that is responsible for emergency medical care for individuals that are involved in a wide variety of accidents or going through some form of natural ailment. Paramedics are typically the first people on the scene of the accident after the call to 911 is placed. Once on the scene, the level of care that a paramedic can give will range significantly by the state in which they work in. This can typically include giving CPR to the victim, giving some oral medication, diagnosing a condition, and reading an EKG.
On a national basis, the average annual salary for a paramedic is about $38,000 per year. The majority of paramedics earn between $35,000 and $45,000 per year although the top five percent have reported earning closer to $60,000. Paramedics typically do not earn any additional bonus income, but they do normally qualify for benefits such as health insurance and disability coverage. The salary that a paramedic will actually receive will vary based on a few different factors.
The first factor that could influence the salary received by a paramedic is the level of education that has been completed. To become an emergency paramedic, you will need to go through a varying level of education and certification programs, and in many cases, the level of certification and education completed will directly impact the salary received. Paramedics with the base level of education and certification will generally receive a salary on the lower end of the spectrum. Many paramedics will complete the base level of certification, and will continue to progress in their education as time goes on and their salary will increase accordingly.
Another factor that could influence the salary of a paramedic is who they work for. Paramedics are frequently hired by hospitals, emergency vehicle services, police departments, fire departments, and some not-for-profit healthcare organizations. Paramedics who work for the police and fire departments typically earn more money than those that work for the not-for-profit organizations. The location of the paramedic also will have a dramatic impact on salary. Larger cities tend to pay more money than smaller communities. However, the time demand and stress tends to be more significant in the larger cities.
Experience is another significant factor that will influence a paramedic’s salary. Paramedics that are just starting out should not expect a salary of much more than $30,000. However, as they progress and step into management roles, they could see their salaries double over time.
Published October 30, 2011 | Dental technicians are the people working behind the dentists, making more beautiful smiles by creating dentures, dental crowns and bridges. Their everyday responsibility is to manufacture these orthodontic appliances according the specifications ordered by the dentist. This profession also has its areas of specialization, like preparing acrylic or porcelain tooth replacements. Dental technicians are also known as dental laboratory technicians.
The present average salary of dental technicians is at $42,000. In 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics declared that the median salary for this profession is $34,170. They also reported that dental technicians can make as much as $58,000 and as little as $21,000 for beginning technicians in some parts of the country.
Factors affecting the salary of dental laboratory technicians include their level of certification, experience in the field and the type of employer they work for.
Those who pursue their education in a related field and become a Certified Dental Technician with the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology typically earn more than those who simply take dental laboratory training programs offered by vocational agencies and community colleges. Certified dental technicians earn between $40,500 and $69,200, while ordinary dental technicians are paid $35,000 to $55,000. The highest paying jobs are held by dental ceramists who receive $46,000 to $67,000 per annum.
Dental technicians with many years of experience get paid more than others. Certified dental technicians who have at least one to four years of field practice earn an average salary of $28,900. On the other hand, those who have 10-19 years of experience are paid $52,600 on average, while those working for more than 20 years are paid over $54,500 per year. This is mainly because those who have been in the field for many years have garnered a lot of experience that has given them the chance to get promoted into supervisory positions or shifted to marketing and development areas with orthodontic appliance manufacturers.
Employer type has a huge impact on the salary grade of dental technicians. According to surveys, those who work in government agencies earn the lowest median salary. Dental technicians in universities and some colleges earn the highest. Meanwhile, dental technicians in academia and those who work for the federal government have a median salary of more than $50,000.
The demand for dental technicians is getting higher every year. The field is expected to grow by 14 percent in the next 10 years.
Published October 30, 2011 | Surgical technicians assist surgeons and nurses in the operating room. The technician is part of the surgical team before, during and after a surgical procedure. Before an operation, the surgical technician prepares the operating room by ensuring the physician and nurses have equipment and supplies available for the procedure. During the surgical operation, the technician may pass instruments and supplies to the surgical team. Once a procedure is completed, the surgical technician helps patients to the recovery room and cleans the operating room. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that surgical technicians earn a median annual salary of $39,920. Those technicians in the upper 10 percent can earn annual salaries of $57,330 and those in the lower 10 percent earn up to $28,100.
Industries Employing Surgical Technicians
A surgical technician may work in a variety of locations including hospitals, physician’s offices, outpatient clinics and dental offices. The annual mean salary for a surgical technician, according to the Department of Labor is $40,780 for professionals working in a surgical hospital. Technicians employed in a doctor’s office earn a mean annual salary of $42,690 while those working in an outpatient clinic earn $42,480.
Geographic Location
The location a surgical technician works can have a tremendous impact on his or her salary. Issues such as cost of living and demand for professionals in this field can affect the wages of a surgical technician. For example, surgical technicians working in Nevada earn a mean annual salary of $50,690 while those working in Mississippi earn $32,340 during the same period, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor. The location within a state may also affect the salary range for the surgical technician. For instance, technicians in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, California earn mean annual salaries of $61,850 while those working in the Oakland, Fremont and Hayward areas of California earn $57,380. Surgical technicians with the right training can qualify for positions in various cities and states all over the country.
Requirements for a Position
Surgical technicians can work in a position for a hospital or doctor’s office after completing a training program that prepares them with courses such as anatomy, microbiology, physiology, medical terminology, ethics and pharmacology. Students in a training program in a community college or junior college setting must also complete clinical training, which provides the student with hands on experience in the duties of a surgical technician. Students may also complete a certification program that may qualify them to work for a greater number of employers. While certification is not a requirement for a position as a surgical technician, employers may prefer job applicants with the credential.
Published October 29, 2011 | Nursing professionals are employed in medical and allied-health industries to provide care and support to different types of clients. In terms of numbers, they represent one of the largest groups of professionals in the medical and health care sector. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), employment for this sector is projected to increase by 20 percent within a 10 year period starting 2008.
National Salary Overview
The figures from the Occupational Information Network of the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reflect median wages of $31.10 an hour or at least $64,590 for nurses employed in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent received an hourly rate of $21.24 or $44,190 a year, while the highest 10 percent earned $45.74 an hour or at least $95,130 annually. According to the BLS, California has the highest annual mean wage for registered nurses in the U.S. with an hourly rate of $42.06. Also included in the highest paying list is Massachusetts with $40.86 and Hawaii with $39.48.
Salary Information by Industry and Specialization
Personal health care services top the list of highest paying health-related industries in 2010. The top three in the list also includes pharmaceuticals and manufacturing, and federal government. Nurses employed in personal health care services receive an hourly mean wage of $41.52, while those employed by federal government are paid an hourly mean wage of $38.23. In terms of employment rate, other health industries such as medical and surgical hospitals, outpatient care services, and specialty hospitals or centers hire more nurses than these top paying industries.
Nurses employed in medical and surgical hospitals perform a variety of responsibilities based on their education, training, and specialization. They may be assigned to perform essential tasks during emergency medical procedures, or work with a specialized patient population such as pediatric oncology, psychiatric, and geriatric nursing. According to BLS, nurses hired by medical and surgery hospitals are paid an annual mean wage of $68,610.
On the other hand, specialty hospitals or centers pay their nurses an annual mean wage of $73,280. These specialty hospitals and clinics provide services in areas such as women’s health, cardiology, orthopedics, and other specializations. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals are separately ranked from specialty hospitals and clinics. In terms of annual mean salary, they also offer a competitive mean rate of $31.54 per hour.
Rates for professional nurses are generally competitive in comparison to other healthcare professionals. Variances in compensation and wages depend on several factors. These may include location, training and education, industry, and specialization.