Salary Surveys. Use the 2013 AAMD Salary Survey posted in Week 2 course content.

To estimate
the range you should be in, find all questions that are applicable to you. Find your range for
each question and then divide by the total number of questions you used. This should be the
general salary range for you individually. Provide a summary of your analysis and if you feel it
is reasonable or not. (CMD's: You don't have to provide specifics on your own current salary;
this is up to you).
Next, find out if your current facility uses the AAMD salary survey to establish the salary ranges
for medical dosimetrists? If yes, is it current and and do you agree with what they have
established? If no, why do they not use it? Be specific.
I estimated my expected salary based on the 2013 AAMD salary Survey using the mean salary
for categories which were relevant.1 I assessed the salary based on a non-certified dosimetrist
with less than 5 years experience, no supervisory responsibilities, and with a Masters degree.
The results were:

For all non-certified dosimetrists the average salary was $96,993.

For non-certified dosimetrists with less than 5 years experience the average salary was $81,050.
For non-certified dosimetrists with no supervisory responsibility the average salary was $90,720.
For non-certified dosimetrists with Masters degree the average salary was $83,925.
For non-certified dosimetrists with academic training the average salary was $107,417.
The average salary for all of these categories is $92,021. This salary may be higher than what I
can expect, although once certified the expected salary will rise. Sample size in the survey is
probably a factor that may introduce bias into these statistics, such as the statistic that
dosimetrists with a Masters degree earn less than any other type of degree.
Verity Radiation Therapy does not use the AAMD salary survey but instead uses an internal
salary scale. The scale is takes into consideration many factors including years experience and
certification. Although the AAMD survey is taken into consideration, the organization depends
on other factors as well when making salary decisions.
Although the starting pay scale for inexperienced dosimetrists is generous, I would like to see an
increase in dosimetrists salaries as a general trend. Although as a dosimetrist this may seem selfserving, the intention is actually to improve patient care. Many a radiation oncologist will say
that the physicians treatments are only as good as the dosimetrist. The dosimetrist knows just
how far each aspect of the plan can get pushed, and what the cost benefit ratios are for each
pressure influencing the plan. Increased salary recognition for medical dosimetrists will result in
increased quality of dosimetrists and increased quality of care in radiation therapy. On a personal
note, however, I am thankful to be able to contribute to patients lives in such a huge way and at
the same time receive the benefit of a dosimetrists salary.

1 Mills MD. 2013 salary survey of currently active medical dosimetrists. American Association
of Medical Dosimetrists. Published 2014. Accessed November 10, 2015.