Hello SDN'ers,
I am torn between going after a doctorate in physical therapy or master's in occupational therapy. But my dilemma lies in that fact that here in the Bay Area, Northern California imaging techs whom only need an AS for program acceptance make more money than physical or occupational therapists! More money for less schooling you say? X-ray programs are two years, ultrasound programs are 1.5 years. I was somewhat shocked to learn this as usually higher education equates to a higher wage/salary. With Kaiser's imaging program, one finishes with a bachelor's of science degree. A doctorate or master's is even sweeter but money takes the cake when we are all in the rat race of a struggle! I know that money isn't everything but I have shadowed in all areas and think I would do well in them all.
Here are some examples as to how much UCSF pays its starting per-diem (non benefited) staff here in the Bay Area. Don't forget cost of living here is the one of the highest in the nation. As you can see, imaging techs make more in every field than OTs or PTs. I wonder why this is? Do health organizations not think highly enough of the OT/PT field? Y
Physical therapist $59.62/hr
Occupational therapist $58.48/hr
Radiologic technologist $60.40/hr
Ultrasound tech/Sonographer $67.84/hr
Radiation therapist $70.67/hr
If you are a government worker, your earnings are public info. Here is an example of how much x-ray/CT techs can make in a year. Note their regular pay, OT, and other pay. Other pay comes from taking call where you can make substantially more being on 'standby'. This is insane when I learned about this! These people are making well into a quarter million a year with just a highschool/AS degree and a relatively easy and stress free job to boot!!
I am torn between going after a doctorate in physical therapy or master's in occupational therapy. But my dilemma lies in that fact that here in the Bay Area, Northern California imaging techs whom only need an AS for program acceptance make more money than physical or occupational therapists! More money for less schooling you say? X-ray programs are two years, ultrasound programs are 1.5 years. I was somewhat shocked to learn this as usually higher education equates to a higher wage/salary. With Kaiser's imaging program, one finishes with a bachelor's of science degree. A doctorate or master's is even sweeter but money takes the cake when we are all in the rat race of a struggle! I know that money isn't everything but I have shadowed in all areas and think I would do well in them all.
Here are some examples as to how much UCSF pays its starting per-diem (non benefited) staff here in the Bay Area. Don't forget cost of living here is the one of the highest in the nation. As you can see, imaging techs make more in every field than OTs or PTs. I wonder why this is? Do health organizations not think highly enough of the OT/PT field? Y
Physical therapist $59.62/hr
Occupational therapist $58.48/hr
Radiologic technologist $60.40/hr
Ultrasound tech/Sonographer $67.84/hr
Radiation therapist $70.67/hr
If you are a government worker, your earnings are public info. Here is an example of how much x-ray/CT techs can make in a year. Note their regular pay, OT, and other pay. Other pay comes from taking call where you can make substantially more being on 'standby'. This is insane when I learned about this! These people are making well into a quarter million a year with just a highschool/AS degree and a relatively easy and stress free job to boot!!
