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The differences between imaging technologists and mammography technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an imaging technologist and a mammography technician. Additionally, a mammography technician has an average salary of $64,362, which is higher than the $49,786 average annual salary of an imaging technologist.
The top three skills for an imaging technologist include patients, patient care and customer service. The most important skills for a mammography technician are patients, ARRT, and patient care.
| Imaging Technologist | Mammography Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $49,786 | $64,362 |
| Hourly rate | $23.94 | $30.94 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 55,397 | 52,998 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Associate Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An imaging technologist is responsible for performing diagnostic imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging scans, X-ray examination, and computed tomography. Your day-to-day duties include working closely with physicians and radiologists in diagnosing or ruling out disease or injury, operating and maintaining imaging equipment, and assisting patients in preparation for imaging procedures. As an imaging technologist, it is also your responsibility to follow precise instructions in order to capture a high-quality image and assisting physicians in evaluating images.
A mammography technician is primarily in charge of operating an imaging machine to detect and diagnose breast diseases. Their responsibilities include greeting patients, reviewing their identification and request documentation, explaining the extent of procedures, answering inquiries, operating machines, performing adjustments, and conducting the study in adherence to the protocols, making sure the patients feel comfortable every step of the way. Furthermore, as a mammography technician, it is essential to practice every safety technique during the procedures, all while enforcing the facility's policies and regulations.
Imaging technologists and mammography technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Imaging Technologist | Mammography Technician | |
| Average salary | $49,786 | $64,362 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $74,000 | Between $35,000 And $117,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | Stability Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an imaging technologist and a mammography technician in terms of educational background:
| Imaging Technologist | Mammography Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Associate Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between imaging technologists' and mammography technicians' demographics:
| Imaging Technologist | Mammography Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4% | Male, 3.6% Female, 96.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |