Travel Mammography Tech Jobs

The salary of a Mammography Technologist can vary by the specific title as well as the location, facility, and assignment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians was $64,840 in 2020 with the majority earning between $50,670 and $76,520.

Entry Level positions or those paying the lowest 10% of salaries earned around $42,180 while the highest 10% earned more than $92,660. Typically, travel mammography tech jobs will provide higher hourly and weekly pay than permanent positions in the same location, though this varies widely by travel mammography jobs.

California pays the highest average salary to Radiologic Technologists and Technicians - which includes Mammography Technologist positions - according to the BLS with an average annual wage of $95,010 and an hourly wage of $45.68. California is followed by Hawaii ($82,990 per year, $39.90 per hour), the District of Columbia ($82,270 per year, $39.55 per hour), Alaska ($79,330 per year, $38.14 per hour), and Massachusetts ($78,830 per year, $37.90 per hour).

Seeking the highest-paying contract doesn't always mean that you should take mammography tech travel jobs with the highest weekly pay. Factoring in the cost of living of each state can often give a better indication of what mammography tech travelers can expect to earn from an assignment. When comparing the cost of living adjusted average mammography tech salary, Minnesota would be the highest paying state followed by Washington State, California, Ohio, and Idaho.

Mammography Technologists (Mammo Techs) work in radiology labs or specialized mammography units and use dedicated X-ray equipment for mammography procedures and breast imaging. This specialized equipment uses low-dose radiation to produce digital electronic images that can be enhanced by computer technology and examined by a radiologist to detect cancers, benign tumors, and cysts.

Diagnostic mammography procedures are also used to assist in further evaluation and screening of breast abnormalities during needle localization and stereotactic breast biopsies. Breast implant imaging is also done by mammography. A mammography tech often prepares patients for the scans and is responsible for maintaining proper positioning while making sure they are comfortable when undergoing the process of taking images.

Education

A mammography tech must pursue the same associate's degree from a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JCERT), as that is the fastest path into the profession. An associates degree program will provide knowledge in biology, physiology, anatomy, patient care, and clinical skills through work in the classroom and clinical settings. Mammography techs can also pursue a Bachelor's degree in radiology science which provides more in-depth instruction and will often lead to greater opportunities to pursue a higher salary and leadership opportunities.

Certifications and License

Mammography techs will generally be required to take a national certifying exam, the most common of which is administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. A mammography technologist would need to earn their ARRT (R) certification after graduation and it is strongly recommended to complete the ARRT (M) exam which is the certification sought after by most companies in the industry for travel mammography tech jobs. State license requirements for mammography techs vary by state and they are separate from certification.

Travel mammography tech jobs are available all across the country in a variety of healthcare settings and radiology departments. Working in a travel mammography job provides the opportunity for a radiology professional to explore different states, gain valuable career experience, and work with a wide variety of patients and medical personnel.

Travel Mammography Tech assignments are available in:

• Mammography units in hospitals

• Clinics and clinical facilities

• Diagnostic imaging centers

While compensation offers can vary greatly depending on the contract or agency offering, pay packages for travel radiologist jobs typically have four major components: hourly taxable wages, meals and incidentals, housing, and travel.

Hourly Pay

Full-time mammography techs working at healthcare facilities receive a salary, but most travel allied health employers offer hourly wages. Every pay package must include a taxable hourly wage, and the amount can vary depending on the shift, location, and specialty required of the assignment.

Housing

Housing payments can be included in a payment from a staffing agency. This is typically offered in two ways. Either the company is providing housing, or the traveler is taking housing stipends. It is more beneficial for the traveler to take the housing stipend for two primary reasons. First, they will have a choice in where they stay. Everyone’s definition of comfortable and acceptable are different. The second reason the housing stipend is more beneficial for them is that it can be given as a nontaxable amount.

Meals and Incidentals

Also known as per diems, meal and incidental stipends provide a daily budget for daily living expenses. These standards vary depending on the cost of living in cities and states.

Travel Expenses

Travel is the last portion of the pay package. Many recruiters may not even offer travel and instead put that money into the per diems or housing for their traveler so they are receiving the benefits over the entire contract, not just at the very beginning or end of the contract. While a travel stipend can be used to cover the cost of a flight for the traveler, it is more often than not used to subsidize the traveler’s expenses to and from an assignment. Travel expenses can be offered as a reimbursement rate per mile, though many agencies will opt to offer a flat rate to and from an assignment.

Many mammography techs find work through allied health agencies and marketplaces, which means you have better access to job boards to choose your schedule, location, and salary. When you begin browsing for mammography assignments, be sure to consider housing options, benefits like medical and dental, guaranteed hours' policy, and the recruiting company’s overall reputation.

The good news is that Fusion Marketplace has everything you need when it comes to finding the perfect mammography tech job. Here, you have the freedom to compare perks and benefits offered by staffing agencies in one place - including pay packages, 401k plans, medical, and dental insurance. So create a profile to begin working with a dedicated recruiter and find your next job today.