Radiologic technologists made the list of the 50 best careers for 2011, put out by U.S. News and World Report last week. The magazine said the profession is expected to grow over the next decade and pays a decent wage.

According to the report, there were about 215,000 employed techs in 2008, and the Labor Department projects a growth of 17 percent to 252,000 in the next eight years. The median yearly pay is $53,240.

For aspiring teches, Myke Kudlas, the chief academic officer with the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, warns it's best not to be "one-dimensional." "We think of just taking X-rays, but radiologic technologists also do CT scans, MRI scans, and mammography," he told the magazine.

His advice was echoed in the comments. "I wanted to add that I also think if you are going to go into this field -- do 2 or more modalities and really do them!" someone who claims to be a per diem CT tech wrote in response to the article. But the poster also noted to be wary of too much radiology optimism: the discipline is a prime target for cuts.

"My advice is if you really want to go into this field, go for it," the poster said. "But have a back-up job because probably per diem/casual positions are all you are going to land for awhile."

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