A radiologist is a medical doctor who, after completing medical school, has specialized in the use of radioactive material, electromagnetic radiation, and sound to make images used to diagnose and treat patients. Although closely associated with hospitals, radiologists most often have private practices, using both hospital equipment and personnel to perform their jobs. In fact, technological advances make it possible for a doctor of radiology to do much of his work on his computer, viewing near-perfect reproductions of the images taken by hospital radiology techs.

Like most medical fields, radiology has become more specialized since the development of x-ray technology. Doctors can focus on diagnostic, nuclear, therapeutic, or interventional radiology. The latter is the newest. It involves the use of imaging to help the physician insert miniature devices into the body to diagnose and/or treat a condition, such as a blocked artery. Specialization can focus on specific organs or systems in the body, such as the gastrointestinal system or the musculoskeletal system. There are specialists in mammography, ultrasound, and pediatrics.

Radiology jobs pay well, with the average doctor earning around $99.000 a year. Radiology technicians average about $46,000 annually.