Show me the money...

What are typical medical technologist salaries? Do some companies pay a lot more for this position than others? What does a top earner make in this field?

What skills should you learn to increase your salary?

It does depend on the company that you are working for, but the average that we recruit for are between $23 / hr and $30 / hr.

It seems that the employers locally adjust their salary to whatever it takes to keep their people. Generally it means that most everyone in the field in a given area makes about the same salary.

After 16 years in the field, working in the same hospital in southeast Virginia, I'm making $21.50/hour. There is nothing I can do aside from getting a supervisory position to make more money as a medical technologist. I consistantly get excellent performance appraisals and am good with continuing education, but my employer did away with merit increases several years ago. They used to give merit bonuses as well, but they have done away with that too. The only thing that keeps me there is the working conditions - flexible hours, a good boss, and pleasant coworkers.

Maybe I should move to Michigan!

Have you all thought of traveling?

Luied, I am not a supervisor. I said that the only way I can make more money is to become a supervisor, which does not appeal to me.

You are welcome to apply anywhere you would like. It seems that there are a lot of Phillipino-Americans in the medical technology field. In my department of eight employees, three have Phillipino heritage.

Jennifer, I do enjoy traveling. In fact, I've been to France, Germany, Switzerland, Belize, Cozumel, and the Cayman Islands in the past year. I think you are referring to working in another area of the country. I think that the problem with that is that the salaries correlate with the cost of living, so you never have an increased standard of living.

I was thinking of getting into this 4+1 program for a Medical Technologist post graduate certificate. I was told that the contracting opportunities were awesome from anywhere between $25-$30 an hour usually working between 50 to 60 hours per week. Is this not true? Would it be worth me doing this program first and then jumping in a graduate program of my choice or should I just by pass it?

California has the highest minimum wage, which was recently increased to $8.00 per hour.

Starting salaries for licensed medical Technologists in California is $32.00 per hour. MT's with experience can make between $40. - $45. per hour.

california has approved ASCP certified MT's to practice in the state

thanks JMIller you are a big help

I'm currently a Senior in an CLS/MT program and graduating in May. I've been interested in a transfusion services position at a hospital that I am doing my clinical rotation. However, I'm not sure how much a MT would make in that area, starting out as a new grad. Does anyone know? :)

This major is crap. If you are still undergrad, do not major in this!! Only use it as a stepping stone for medical school. All the bench techs don't seem happy, obviously with 30+ years of experience and making less than recently graduated nurse.. bull Sh*t

Jennifer in Spokane, Washington said: Have you all thought of traveling?

Hopefully, Jennifer in Spokane will log in again. I'm planning to move to the Seattle area in the fall and am trying to figure out what I can expect to make. I realize that Spokane is pretty far from Seattle, but it's a lot closer than the Chicago area.
In case anyone is interested, I work for a reference lab near Chicago and am way underpayed. I make $19.14/hr, about 41K/yr, and am only sticking with it til I'm ASCP certified. I am told other hospital labs in the area make 3-4 more $ on the hour than us, if that helps anyone.

Jennifer in Boston, Massachusetts said: This major is crap. If you are still undergrad, do not major in this!! Only use it as a stepping stone for medical school. All the bench techs don't seem happy, obviously with 30+ years of experience and making less than recently graduated nurse.. bull Sh*t

Yup. I have been a nurse for almost a year, and am now planning on MT or HT/HTL. I realize that this means a huge paycut, but I am willing to do it because I will (hopefully) be happier. The reason I didn't go right into lab science and went into nursing was for the money, and now I am totally miserable.
Also though I's mention that I am planning on eventually applying for Pathologist assistant school after I shadow one. And even with a Master's I'm sure my starting salary will be less than what I'm making now as a RN (with shift diff, and some OT)

Caitlin in Granby, Connecticut said: Yup. I have been a nurse for almost a year, and am now planning on MT or HT/HTL. I realize that this means a huge paycut, but I am willing to do it because I will (hopefully) be happier. The reason I didn't go right into lab science and went into nursing was for the money, and now I am totally miserable.
Also though I's mention that I am planning on eventually applying for Pathologist assistant school after I shadow one. And even with a Master's I'm sure my starting salary will be less than what I'm making now as a RN (with shift diff, and some OT)

Pathologists' Assistants salaries start out between 65-90k right out of school.

Salary depends on where you are, what you do and how long you do it....Having said that, salaries of the professionals i work with, average 70 a year up to 6 figures...I've been in the field of laboratory science for more than 11 years now and I have to say that the field is broad and growing. I think the problem with most people in this field is that they are not aware of all the opportunities laboratory professionals have. While I was employed in the hospital laboratories, just like most, I was unaware of what was going on around me. I didn't learn about all the opportunities until i got involved in public health. As an employee at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), I see Public Health Advisors, Public Health Analyst, Health Scientist, Biologist, Microbiologist,Epidemiologist, IT Professionals and other key leadership personnel with MT(ASCP)or NCA behind there names.. And thats not just at the CDC. I am now a Researcher, dealing with people on an international level,meeting people from the FDA, NIH, Colleges, Universities, Pharm and Bio. Companies and multiple other places, in all kinds of unbelievable roles, with MT (ASCP) or NCA behind there names. The hospitals are a great starting point, but don't let that fool you into thinking that thats the extent of this career field. If you want to have a great career in this field, get out and take a look around. You may be surprised with what you see.

I've seen that even the US State Department has hired techs although I don't know what that involves.
Of course there are jobs in public health labs...however you should be aware that you will make less than you would in the private sector for the same work.
The jobs range from large reference labs like Labcorp and Arup to small hospital labs.
In some labs the work is grueling and the techs become burned out so it's not always a picnic.
Plus the field has chronic lack of respect issues with the public, physicians and others who don't understand the work.
I personally believe medical technology while a stepping stone to something better should not be a primary endeavor for someone who is still young who can continue his or her education.

Medical Technologist in Atlanta, Georgia said: Salary depends on where you are, what you do and how long you do it....Having said that, salaries of the professionals i work with, average 70 a year up to 6 figures...I've been in the field of laboratory science for more than 11 years now and I have to say that the field is broad and growing. I think the problem with most people in this field is that they are not aware of all the opportunities laboratory professionals have. While I was employed in the hospital laboratories, just like most, I was unaware of what was going on around me. I didn't learn about all the opportunities until i got involved in public health. As an employee at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), I see Public Health Advisors, Public Health Analyst, Health Scientist, Biologist, Microbiologist,Epidemiologist, IT Professionals and other key leadership personnel with MT(ASCP)or NCA behind there names.. And thats not just at the CDC. I am now a Researcher, dealing with people on an international level,meeting people from the FDA, NIH, Colleges, Universities, Pharm and Bio. Companies and multiple other places, in all kinds of unbelievable roles, with MT (ASCP) or NCA behind there names. The hospitals are a great starting point, but don't let that fool you into thinking that thats the extent of this career field. If you want to have a great career in this field, get out and take a look around. You may be surprised with what you see.

Your response was interesting to read because I am currently in a master's in public health degree program and I have been a MT for two years. I am trying to incorporate the two fields and would love to hear some of your ideas on career opportunities. I have been looking at jobs offered by the CDC, NIH and I am excited about the potential for advancement in this career path.

Hello, does anyone know what the average starting salary of a MT is in the Phoenix & surrounding areas are?

Medical Technologist in Atlanta, Georgia said: Salary depends on where you are, what you do and how long you do it....Having said that, salaries of the professionals i work with, average 70 a year up to 6 figures...I've been in the field of laboratory science for more than 11 years now and I have to say that the field is broad and growing. I think the problem with most people in this field is that they are not aware of all the opportunities laboratory professionals have. While I was employed in the hospital laboratories, just like most, I was unaware of what was going on around me. I didn't learn about all the opportunities until i got involved in public health. As an employee at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), I see Public Health Advisors, Public Health Analyst, Health Scientist, Biologist, Microbiologist,Epidemiologist, IT Professionals and other key leadership personnel with MT(ASCP)or NCA behind there names.. And thats not just at the CDC. I am now a Researcher, dealing with people on an international level,meeting people from the FDA, NIH, Colleges, Universities, Pharm and Bio. Companies and multiple other places, in all kinds of unbelievable roles, with MT (ASCP) or NCA behind there names. The hospitals are a great starting point, but don't let that fool you into thinking that thats the extent of this career field. If you want to have a great career in this field, get out and take a look around. You may be surprised with what you see.

WOW! I'd love to talk to you further because I'm curious to know other options for me in this field for advancement. I'm a lab rat but love clincal pharmacy and maybe Health Care/Hospital Administration as well. I want to get either an MBA in Healthcare Administration or a MPH in something but not sure of the specialty. I will start my clinical program in August so that I'll become eligible for my ASCP certification. I was seriously thinking of becoming a clinical chemistry specialist.

I was also looking into Molecular Diagnostics. I have experience in both Pharmacology and Biochemisty/biomedical laboratories and LOVED the chemistry and molecular sciences. I even got a publication from my pharmacology research. I do know that I want to incorporate the medical science with the administration/policy procedures. I'm just unsure about what else is out there. Please provide some insight on what you've encountered. Thanks!

Jennifer in Boston, Massachusetts said: This major is crap. If you are still undergrad, do not major in this!! Only use it as a stepping stone for medical school. All the bench techs don't seem happy, obviously with 30+ years of experience and making less than recently graduated nurse.. bull Sh*t

I definitely agree that majoring in this field is a watse of time. I graduated with a four year degree in Medical Technology in 2006 and regret that I even went into the field. There are a shortage of MT's which may help us in the later future, but I am definitely thinking and have been thinking for a long time about pursuing another area of practice in medicine. Everyone in the field seems to be very unhappy and underpaid after about 5 years. Hope this helps!

I have to disagree. The job is pretty much simple, stress free, and with a full time and per diem job I make close to $80,000 a year. That is better than alot of other careers.

CLS48 that's what I want to do, have a FT and a per diem. I'm just not sure I'd find something like this so easily in MS. Most per diems I find are in Carolina, GA, CA or FL. I'd love to relocate but have three kids and I know that daycare would be ridiculously expensive and this would make it nearly impossible for me to work two jobs and have no family around. Their father has been on his job for 19 years and refuses to switch positions and locations. He's underpaid too. How does the traveling MT work through agencies. I heard they pay well too.

CLS48 in California said: I have to disagree. The job is pretty much simple, stress free, and with a full time and per diem job I make close to $80,000 a year. That is better than alot of other careers.

Stress free ..lol to that...
There are a few med tech jobs that are stress free but the majority of them certainly are not...

I'm not in favor of the traveling MT jobs especially for someone with a family and a those responsibilities..maybe for a young unmarried person but not for a family man..and at some point gas prices will be going back up and with the wear and tear on your vehicle I would not be in favor of it...

For the most money I would think a person would need to be a lab manager...at a major facility/large hospital..once you get outside of that you could look at the pharmaceutical companies..

so are you saying that pharma companies pay more than hospitals?

Tori Groves in Columbus, Georgia said: I definitely agree that majoring in this field is a watse of time. I graduated with a four year degree in Medical Technology in 2006 and regret that I even went into the field. There are a shortage of MT's which may help us in the later future, but I am definitely thinking and have been thinking for a long time about pursuing another area of practice in medicine. Everyone in the field seems to be very unhappy and underpaid after about 5 years. Hope this helps!

I now see that the Med Tech field is only good for getting into other fields. The primary reason I went into the field is to be more marketable and have a better salary. But right now I been looking for a Med Tech job, that is not nights, in Atlanta for over 5-6 months. I thought this field was high in demand. I guess not. It may be the effect of the economy, lots of competition, and the type of background I have. I've been working in a research clinical lab as a med tech for most of my career. So I never worked in a hospital setting. From what I have learned, if you decide to go into the field, try to get relevant experience as a generalist first and then specialize especially in Blood Bank or Microbiology. Based on the few positions that are being posted, Generalist, Blood Bank and Micro. seems like the most marketable areas. Right now I thinking about going back to school full-time to complete my masters in public health being that I can't find employment. I am out of options.

I live in knoxville, tn and have 1.5 yrs experience. I make $22.00/hr plus a $3 per hour shift diff. My prn job pays $26.75/hr plus a $3 per hour shift diff. I am interested in traveling. Is $50/hr possible???

Host said: What are typical medical technologist salaries? Do some companies pay a lot more for this position than others? What does a top earner make in this field?

What skills should you learn to increase your salary?

You can not increase your salary unless you get out of the field. You start out making ok money but you never increase much beyond starting salary. You can make the same money with a two year degree as with a four year BS. I have a speciality which is one year post BS and I make only a small amount more than people with two year MLT certifications. Most lab sections are automated now. You can always find work in this field which is a plus and hours are often flexible. But plan to work a lot of weekends holidays and shift when you start. I was a supervisor for 10 years only making a few dollars an hour more than MLTs, I finialy decided it was not worth all the extra time and phone calls at home and went back to being a bench tech part time which is a lot of fun. I would suggest you go into the military as an officer if you want to advance in this field. Great free training and oppertunity for advancement. The only way to go if you like this field. Great start if want to become an MD.

I work for Kaiser Permanente as a Union MT and make $36.00 an hour. I work 24 hrs one week and 32 hours the next. I work 2 weekends on and have 4 weekends off. They are very flexible with time off and family issues. HOWEVER, the MLT's do the same work we do....but they only get a fraction of what we get. I don't think that is right. It should be equal pay for equal work regardless of your degree. Just because there is an MT behind my name I get paid a lot more! I have been a genaralist, a lab manager and a microbiologist for the length of my career (about 16 years and counting).....I am at the top of my pay scale and have been there since I was hired. At least being unionized, we are guaranteed wage increases each year. I have been toying with the idea of getting into a new field or trying to move forward in this field but have been frustrated so far. Without going back to school to get a Masters or another degree (P.A. or RN or whatever)I don't really have any options that I can come up with. I didn't really want to go back to school.....I've been a manager - too stressful. I have been having chronic and painful neck and shoulder pain. Most of the gals I work with that have been in the field 20+ years also have neck, back and shoulder issues. I want something that pays me more than I make currently with less physical stress. I am 39 years old and in great shape - this profession is killing me!
Any ideas from anyone out there?

micarc in Imbler, Oregon said: I work for Kaiser Permanente as a Union MT and make $36.00 an hour. I work 24 hrs one week and 32 hours the next. I work 2 weekends on and have 4 weekends off. They are very flexible with time off and family issues. HOWEVER, the MLT's do the same work we do....but they only get a fraction of what we get. I don't think that is right. It should be equal pay for equal work regardless of your degree. Just because there is an MT behind my name I get paid a lot more! I have been a genaralist, a lab manager and a microbiologist for the length of my career (about 16 years and counting).....I am at the top of my pay scale and have been there since I was hired. At least being unionized, we are guaranteed wage increases each year. I have been toying with the idea of getting into a new field or trying to move forward in this field but have been frustrated so far. Without going back to school to get a Masters or another degree (P.A. or RN or whatever)I don't really have any options that I can come up with. I didn't really want to go back to school.....I've been a manager - too stressful. I have been having chronic and painful neck and shoulder pain. Most of the gals I work with that have been in the field 20+ years also have neck, back and shoulder issues. I want something that pays me more than I make currently with less physical stress. I am 39 years old and in great shape - this profession is killing me!
Any ideas from anyone out there?

Kaiser Permanente is the place to work. I heard they give bonuses out every year like a free $2K before Christmas added to your paycheck. I also heard health benefits are free meaning they take nothing out of your paycheck. I haven't heard any other hospital employers do this.

Well, I would love to work for the Kaiser that did that....BUT, since I actually work for Kaiser, they do not give out bonuses before X-mas. We have a March pay-out that is based on regional goals being met and it is a small % of our yearly salary.....some years it's larger than others! We also HAVE to pay for our health benefits. There is money taken out every month from our paychecks just like everywhere else. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that would be a perfect situation to be in but not reality. >^..^<
We also have money taken out each month to pay union dues. All of that is not free!

My coworker works for Kaiser and she said the health benefits if you choose just the HMO is free. Also, at least you do get some kind of bonus on top of your raise as most hospitals don't give that. Maybe there is a difference between Kaiser in Oregon and Kaiser in California.

Yeah, that's true....I guess I do have the top tier health plan. If I chose the lesser plan then it would be free for me. Good point!

I would like to hear more about the union for MT's. I am new to the field of Medical Technology and have never heard of a union for Med Techs. I asked some co-workers who have been in the field for upwards of 20-30 years and they had never heard of it either. I am located in the Northern Va area and I am not sure if the unions are non existant in this particular area.

We are a part of the OFNHP - Lab Pro union. It is similar to what the Kaiser RN's have.....as they are union also. A few years after I started with Kaiser, there were a small group of MT's that banded together and formed the union. They promoted it as employee protection for wage increases, Labor/Management decision making, job protection, etc. So far, it has been a positive in those areas. However, some of the downsides are: it is really hard to fire someone for not doing their job because they can file grievences against Kaiser management. Also, when we have an open position, it basically falls to the most senior person who applied for the job (if they are a union member) irregardless of experience. You could have outside candidate that has tons of experience but you would have to hire the non-qualified MT just because they were union! Trust me on this one ~ that sucks!
Everyone gets raises even though they don't deserve them - I personally like the pay for performance option!
The only needed a majority of signatures from the MT's to pass the union ~ and they got it.
So, I guess in these times of economic uncertainty and hospital budget problems....union protection isn't such a bad thing even though there are some negatives. If I got layed off due to budget cuts they would be required per union contract to pay me 1 year of my current wage!

Yea I actually like a union for med techs. Kaiser is the only place I know of that has a union for MTs. Because of this, they get good bonuses and raises on their hourly pay. Their pay is among the best in my area. Even micarc at a rate of $36 an hour, I think that's decent for being in Oregon. It's the first time I heard a rate that high outside of CA.

The upsides of a union outweigh the downsides I believe.

Yes a union sounds wonderful. I just want to know if you have to be certified by ASCP to be a member of the union. Because you can work as an MT and not necessarily be certified

How in the world can you work w/out a certification? I know you can start working but have a set # of months to pass your certification exam. Where are you working that you don't need to be certified thru NCA or ASCP? If you work for Kaiser you have to provide proof of your certification.

Where I work I was hired as a Med Tech. Trainee. And under ASCP guidelines, if you have a bachelor's degree in Biology, Science or Physics, and you complete 1 year of training in your respective department.... you are eligible to work as a Medical Technologist.

Ray in Herndon, Virginia said: Where I work I was hired as a Med Tech. Trainee. And under ASCP guidelines, if you have a bachelor's degree in Biology, Science or Physics, and you complete 1 year of training in your respective department.... you are eligible to work as a Medical Technologist.

I'm sorry that's under the CLIA regulations, and it stipulates that you can only wok in the laboratory (or company) that you were trained in.

Well, that is interesting......I've never read that in the CLIA regs. I'll have to re-read them. I work with a few certified MLT's that have their bachelor's in Chemistry. If they could be getting MT wages for doing the same work as us, I'm sure they would love to know about that!

We have the same situation at our facility. But in order to be eligible for the Med Tech position w/o cert. you must be hired as a trainee and remain as such for 1 year. And as I said earlier, you must be trained by your facility and you can only work for the laboratory that hired you. So if your company doesn't have positions for Medical Technologist Trainee, maybe your MLT's could look elsewhere. Maybe it varies in different states and from company to company.

Ray in Herndon, Virginia said: We have the same situation at our facility. But in order to be eligible for the Med Tech position w/o cert. you must be hired as a trainee and remain as such for 1 year. And as I said earlier, you must be trained by your facility and you can only work for the laboratory that hired you. So if your company doesn't have positions for Medical Technologist Trainee, maybe your MLT's could look elsewhere. Maybe it varies in different states and from company to company.

From the ASCP website:

www.ascp.org/FunctionalNavigation/certification/GetCertified/TechnologistCertification.aspx

There are a lot of fairly easy ways to gain a certification if somebody really wants one. And those are certifications that go anywhere with you, not just the facility that hired you as a trainee.

MicArc, your Chemistry MLTs should have no problem qualifying for a C(ASCP) as long as they've worked in a lab under a tech for at least a year.

Can anyone tell me what the job market is like for a MT(ASCP) with 22 years of experience in Oklahoma, especially around Norman, Oklahoma City, or Tulsa area? What are the salary ranges for someone with this many years? I currently am in North Louisiana and make almost $24/hr. If I relocate, can I expect my salary to be about the same or better?
Thanks for any realistic info!

Denise in Monroe, Louisiana said: Can anyone tell me what the job market is like for a MT(ASCP) with 22 years of experience in Oklahoma, especially around Norman, Oklahoma City, or Tulsa area? What are the salary ranges for someone with this many years? I currently am in North Louisiana and make almost $24/hr. If I relocate, can I expect my salary to be about the same or better?
Thanks for any realistic info!

I live just south of Norman and I can tell you that the market is really good. You should have no problem at all finding a job at one of the local hospitals. You should also be able to make a bit more than what you're currently making, but you may have to shop around a little. My wife is an MLT and makes around $21 with 4 years experience, so you shouldn't have a problem.

Hope that helps!

hi everybody,im currently working here in montana as a medtech making 23/hr,im planning to move to chicago,could anybody tell me what the salary like in chicago?pls..thanks

Show me the money? What??? Lab doesn't pay good for a 4yr medical degree. What a scam! How are the 2yr MLT's doing the same job in many places and getting paid $1-3 less an hour? To the people from CA...80k in Cali is different than 80K in Kansas or Missouri. Much different. At 80K you aren't rolling too high out there. Especially when thats from working 2 jobs?

The automation, point of care testing, and financial budgets will make the lab a horrible future "job". I have been doing it for 8 yrs. For the new people...only do it to advance on to other medical jobs. It does make a great foundation for medical school or physician assistant studies.

For the other people who are working outside the lab in research or whatever...your the minority. The vast majority of MT's are getting hated on, disrespected, and leave shift after shift with both physical and mental exhaustion in hospital labs. The hospitals employ the majority of us. There is no advancement...either work the bench or be the boss. No in between at all. I have worked with so many former lab manangers who are now just bench techs once again.

The old people are not leaving this field! I have worked w/ techs in their 60's picking up extra shifts all the time. They will die on the bench or in bed before coming in to work that day. Why are the old people still working so much? You top out at $25-30 in most of the country. Yes..CA and Manhattan I realize are so much more..and so is your cost of living.

More tests created every year = more jobs? There are more lab tests coming all the time, but the automation is phenomenal! The machines have taken over and will continue to replace techs already and much more in the coming years.

I live in Southern PA but travel to Baltimore to work b/c the salaries are significantly better in Baltimore. Our hospital reportedly pays higher than most in the area, & with, say 10 yrs of experience I started my new job 4 yrs ago at $28/hr. Im now making over $32/hr..and with evening differential I make around $36/hr. Some techs on staff have been there much longer than that & probably making over $70K yearly.
So.. the pay is pretty decent with experience-if you're young enough & patient enough to get enough experience first.

crflava in Aiken, South Carolina said: Show me the money? What??? Lab doesn't pay good for a 4yr medical degree. What a scam! How are the 2yr MLT's doing the same job in many places and getting paid $1-3 less an hour? To the people from CA...80k in Cali is different than 80K in Kansas or Missouri. Much different. At 80K you aren't rolling too high out there. Especially when thats from working 2 jobs?

The automation, point of care testing, and financial budgets will make the lab a horrible future "job". I have been doing it for 8 yrs. For the new people...only do it to advance on to other medical jobs. It does make a great foundation for medical school or physician assistant studies.

For the other people who are working outside the lab in research or whatever...your the minority. The vast majority of MT's are getting hated on, disrespected, and leave shift after shift with both physical and mental exhaustion in hospital labs. The hospitals employ the majority of us. There is no advancement...either work the bench or be the boss. No in between at all. I have worked with so many former lab manangers who are now just bench techs once again.

The old people are not leaving this field! I have worked w/ techs in their 60's picking up extra shifts all the time. They will die on the bench or in bed before coming in to work that day. Why are the old people still working so much? You top out at $25-30 in most of the country. Yes..CA and Manhattan I realize are so much more..and so is your cost of living.

More tests created every year = more jobs? There are more lab tests coming all the time, but the automation is phenomenal! The machines have taken over and will continue to replace techs already and much more in the coming years.

All I have to say is that you're talking about South Carolina! Is the pay for ANY medical position any LOWER than in the SOuth? I doubt it. I make $70K in Baltimore which does NOT have nearly the cost of living of CA,NYC..

70k in this economy is not bad at all, quit the whining and wait for more standards to be applied. If people can manage minimum wage or even 40k a year salaries ontop of their tax cuts then you don't beat a 70k deal.

Who's whining? I was bragging ;-). You're right $70K isnt bad at all! YOu must have interpreted something wrong.