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Ultrasound Tech Salary | Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Job Overview

Ultrasound technicians, also known as diagnostic medical sonographers, operate special imaging equipment to create images of tissue or to conduct tests. These images are called sonograms or ultrasounds. Physicians use these image or test results to assess or diagnose medical conditions or to monitor a baby’s development in the womb.

In this article (and video), you’ll learn about the job duties, types, education requirements (how to become an ultrasound tech), likes and dislikes, and salary information for ultrasound techs or other diagnostic medical sonographers.

Ultrasound Tech (Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) Job Duties

What does an ultrasound tech do on a daily basis? What are the job duties of a diagnostic medical sonographer? These individuals typically do the following tasks:

  • Prepare patients for procedures by taking a patient’s medical history and answering any questions about the procedure
  • Prepare and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment
  • Operate equipment to obtain diagnostic images or to conduct tests
  • Review images or test results to check for quality and adequate coverage of the areas needed for diagnoses
  • Recognize the difference between normal and abnormal images and other diagnostic information
  • Analyze diagnostic information to provide a summary of findings for physicians
  • Record findings and keep track of patients’ records

Types of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

There are many different types of diagnostic medical sonographers. Here is a brief overview of some of these common types:

  • Abdominal sonographers specialize in imaging a patient’s abdominal cavity and nearby organs, such as the kidney, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, or spleen. Abdominal sonographers may assist with biopsies or other examinations requiring ultrasound guidance.
  • Breast sonographers specialize in imaging a patient’s breast tissues. Sonography can confirm the presence of cysts and tumors that may have been detected by the patient, physician, or a mammogram. Breast sonographers work closely with physicians and assist with procedures that track tumors and help to provide information for making decisions about the best treatment options for breast cancer patients.
  • Musculoskeletal sonographers specialize in imaging muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. These sonographers may assist with ultrasound guidance for injections, or during surgical procedures, that deliver medication or treatment directly to affected tissues.
  • Pediatric sonographers specialize in imaging child and infant patients. Many of the medical conditions they image are associated with premature births or birth defects. Pediatric sonographers may work closely with pediatricians and other caregivers.
  • Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers specialize in imaging the female reproductive system. Many pregnant women receive sonograms to track the baby’s growth and health. Obstetrical sonographers work closely with physicians in detecting congenital birth defects.
  • Cardiovascular technologists and technicians create images, conduct tests, or assist with surgical procedures involving the heart.


Diagnostic sonography uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. The sonographer uses an instrument called an ultrasound transducer on the parts of the patient’s body that are being examined. The transducer emits pulses of sound that bounce back, causing

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Education Requirements

What are the education requirements to become an ultrasound tech or diagnostic medical sonographer? If you want to know how to become an ultrasound tech, the answer is: It depends. Colleges and universities offer both associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in sonography and in cardiovascular and vascular technology. One-year certificate programs also are available from colleges or hospitals.

Employers typically prefer graduates of programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

In addition to classroom study, most programs also include a clinical component in which students earn credit while working under a more experienced technologist in a hospital, physician’s office, or imaging laboratory.

Most employers prefer to hire diagnostic imaging workers with professional certification. Many insurance providers and Medicare pay for procedures only if a certified sonographer, technologist, or technician performed the work. Certification is available from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Credentialing International.

Diagnostic imaging workers can earn certification by graduating from an accredited program and passing an exam. Most of the certifications are for specialties in diagnostic imaging; for example, a sonographer can earn a certification in abdominal sonography. Most diagnostic imaging workers have at least one certification, but many earn multiple certifications.

Ultrasound Tech (Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) Salary Data

Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 26 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. This is good news for anyone interested in pursuing this as a career. But how much money does an ultrasound tech make? Are diagnostic medical sonographers paid good money?

The average salary for an ultrasound tech was $68,390 per year as of 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average hourly wage for an ultrasound tech (or diagnostic medical sonographer) as $32.88 per hour.

Here are some additional salary and jobs statistics:

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:

Employment Employment RSE Mean hourly wage Mean annual wage Wage RSE
59,760 1.4 % $32.88 $68,390 0.4 %

Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

Percentile 10% 25% 50% (Median) 75% 90%
Hourly Wage $22.56 $26.85 $32.47 $38.18 $45.12
Annual Wage $46,930 $55,850 $67,530 $79,410 $93,850

Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:

Industry Employment Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 35,590 0.68 $33.11 $68,860
Offices of Physicians 14,830 0.60 $32.46 $67,510
Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories 6,140 2.46 $31.85 $66,240
Outpatient Care Centers 1,440 0.21 $35.06 $72,930
Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals 420 0.17 $36.32 $75,550

Top paying industries for this occupation:

Industry Employment Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals 420 0.17 $36.32 $75,550
Outpatient Care Centers 1,440 0.21 $35.06 $72,930
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 380 0.01 $34.74 $72,270
Offices of Other Health Practitioners 130 0.02 $34.61 $71,980
Employment Services 330 0.01 $34.28 $71,310

Top paying states for this occupation:

State Employment Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
California 4,720 0.31 0.71 $43.20 $89,870
Oregon 530 0.32 0.72 $41.33 $85,970
District of Columbia 190 0.28 0.64 $40.93 $85,140
Alaska 80 0.24 0.53 $39.78 $82,740
Washington 1,400 0.48 1.09 $39.69 $82,550

Lowest paying states for diagnostic medical sonographers:

Area name Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage Annual median wage
Puerto Rico 11.69 24,320 24,190
Alabama 24.38 50,700 51,930
Arkansas 26.32 54,740 54,450
Mississippi 26.45 55,010 56,520
South Dakota 26.73 55,610 55,440
West Virginia 26.80 55,740 54,890

Average salary for ultrasound techs for all 50 states:

Area name Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage Annual median wage
Alabama 24.38 50,700 51,930
Alaska 39.78 82,740 84,880
Arizona 37.02 77,000 80,370
Arkansas 26.32 54,740 54,450
California 43.20 89,870 89,760
Colorado 37.89 78,810 77,690
Connecticut 36.12 75,130 75,630
Delaware 33.60 69,890 69,560
District of Columbia 40.93 85,140 86,010
Florida 28.88 60,080 60,530
Georgia 29.08 60,490 60,760
Hawaii 35.41 73,660 75,280
Idaho 29.90 62,190 61,980
Illinois 35.00 72,800 73,570
Indiana 30.25 62,920 63,030
Iowa 29.60 61,580 60,320
Kansas 31.76 66,060 66,810
Kentucky 27.89 58,010 58,270
Louisiana 27.31 56,800 56,560
Maine 34.10 70,920 71,000
Maryland 34.98 72,760 72,710
Massachusetts 37.36 77,710 80,460
Michigan 28.82 59,950 59,440
Minnesota 36.16 75,210 74,870
Mississippi 26.45 55,010 56,520
Missouri 32.42 67,440 67,220
Montana 33.31 69,280 69,470
Nebraska 30.09 62,590 61,410
Nevada 36.04 74,970 74,700
New Hampshire 36.03 74,940 75,530
New Jersey 34.43 71,620 71,540
New Mexico 31.53 65,580 66,650
New York 32.31 67,210 67,520
North Carolina 31.02 64,520 64,490
North Dakota 30.32 63,060 64,770
Ohio 29.67 61,700 61,770
Oklahoma 31.83 66,200 64,960
Oregon 41.33 85,970 87,150
Pennsylvania 29.64 61,640 60,400
Puerto Rico 11.69 24,320 24,190
Rhode Island 34.67 72,100 72,440
South Carolina 27.23 56,640 57,910
South Dakota 26.73 55,610 55,440
Tennessee 29.18 60,690 60,620
Texas 31.60 65,720 65,860
Utah 34.09 70,910 71,240
Vermont 33.94 70,590 71,280
Virginia 35.55 73,950 70,940
Washington 39.69 82,550 83,350
West Virginia 26.80 55,740 54,890
Wisconsin 37.18 77,320 78,610
Wyoming 33.46 69,610 69,860

References:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, on the Internet at bls.gov.

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