The pay for medical help varies..... A LOT. It's all about where u work and who for. U also need to consider the extra schooling. Sure, the degree requirement may only be an associate's degree..... but don't think u will always be done in 2 years. I know where I live, a radiation therapist needs an associate's degree ....AND THEN they start the radiation tech classes(usually taken at a trade school) and that's another 15 months. Sure, u aren't in school 5 days a week but it's 15 more months of 3 nights a week and not having your radiation tech job until u are finished. That's how most med. tech education works.
As far as pay, it depends on who you work for. I know RN's working at the same hospital, doing the exact same job: 1 will make 20something per hour and the other will make 40 something per hour. U know why? Because one works for the hospital and the other works for an agency. I know EMT's that make more than Paramedics because they work for a city-funded company. A paramedic where I work makes about 14-18 bucks per hour. A paramedic working in a city 20 minutes from me makes 17-23 bucks per hour. That's because I work for a private company and they work for a broker company.... but they have a union.
As far as time in school vs. money earned:
My friend, Jenni, she started school at the same time as I started. We started at the same spot with no college credit. She went to nursing school. I went to paramedic school. We both went all year long.... even summers. I finished 4 months before she did. I make 9 bucks per hour LESS than Jenni. I also spent MORE TIME in the class room. My days were longer. She went 4 months longer and makes 9 bucks more.
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