2021 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary Guide

Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary

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Salary

$74.3K

Growth

17%

Bright Outlook

Bright

Green

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Job Description

Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.

Also known as:

Cardiac Sonographer, Cardiac/Vascular Sonographer, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Medical Sonographer, Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), Sonographer, Staff Sonographer, Ultrasonographer, Ultrasound Technician (Ultrasound Tech), Ultrasound Technologist (Ultrasound Tech)

How Much Do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Make ? 2021

Percentile	10%	25%	50% (Median)	75%	90%
Annual Wage	$52,770	$61,830	$74,320	$89,130	$102,060
Hourly Wage	$25.37	$29.73	$35.73	$42.85	$49.07

How Much Do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Make ? 2021

Percentile

10%

25%

50% (Median)

75%

90%

Annual Wage

$52,770

$61,830

$74,320

$89,130

$102,060

Hourly Wage

$25.37

$29.73

$35.73

$42.85

$49.07

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Tasks

Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.
Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.
Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.
Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.
Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.
Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.
Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.
Maintain records that include patient information, sonographs and interpretations, files of correspondence, publications and regulations, or quality assurance records, such as pathology, biopsy, or post-operative reports.
Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment.
Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment.
Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.
Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.
Coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.
Coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.
Clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests or performing minor repairs as necessary.
Clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests or performing minor repairs as necessary.
Clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests or performing minor repairs as necessary.
Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling exams or special procedures, keeping records, or archiving computerized images.
Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling exams or special procedures, keeping records, or archiving computerized images.
Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling exams or special procedures, keeping records, or archiving computerized images.
Supervise or train students or other medical sonographers.
Supervise or train students or other medical sonographers.
Perform medical procedures, such as administering oxygen, inserting and removing airways, taking vital signs, or giving emergency treatment, such as first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Perform medical procedures, such as administering oxygen, inserting and removing airways, taking vital signs, or giving emergency treatment, such as first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary.
Maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary.
Maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary.
Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.

What Activities Do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Do?

Monitor video displays of medical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Position patients for treatment or examination.
Create advanced digital images of patients using computer imaging systems.
Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
Position patients for treatment or examination.
Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
Gather medical information from patient histories.
Record patient medical histories.
Record patient medical histories.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Create advanced digital images of patients using computer imaging systems.
Prepare official health documents or records.
Process x-rays or other medical images.
Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.
Repair medical facility equipment.
Clean medical equipment or facilities.
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Maintain medical facility records.
Supervise patient care personnel.
Train medical providers.
Implement advanced life support techniques.
Treat medical emergencies.
Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
Order medical supplies or equipment.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.

Typical Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Knowledge?

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

What Are Typical Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Abilities?

Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Written Expression - Communicating by writing.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Inductive Reasoning - Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.
Flexibility of Closure - Seeing hidden patterns.
Deductive Reasoning - Using rules to solve problems.

What Are Typical Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Skills? 2021

Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Social Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions.
Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Speaking - Talking to others.
Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Time Management - Managing your time and the time of other people.
Active Learning - Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.

What Are Typical Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Interests?

Social - Occupations with Social interests frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. Most involve helping or providing service to others.
Investigative - Occupations with Investigative interests frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They often involve research and figuring out problems mentally.
Realistic - Occupations with Realistic interests frequently involve practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

What Is The Projected Employment For Diagnostic Medical Sonographers ? 2021

Location	2019 Employment	2029 Employment	Percent change	Annual projected job openings
United States	74,300	86,800	17%	5,100

What Is The Projected Employment For Diagnostic Medical Sonographers ? 2021

Location

2019 Employment

2029 Employment

Percent change

Annual projected job openings

United States

74,300

86,800

17%

5,100

What Is The Required Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Education & Experience? 2021

Associate's degree
No work experience
No on-the-job training

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Schools ?

School	Program Name	Location	Length / Graduates
Ace Institute of Technology	Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician	New York, NY	At least two but less than four years: 0
AdventHealth University	Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician	Orlando, FL	2 years: 22 4 years: 12
Albany State University	Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician	Albany, GA	2 years: 13
Allen College	Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician	Waterloo, IA	4 years: 9 At least one but less than two years: 0
Alvin Community College	Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician	Alvin, TX	2 years: 17 At least two but less than four years: 5
Amarillo College	Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician	Amarillo, TX	2 years: 12
American College for Medical Careers	Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician	Orlando, FL	2 years: 17
American Institute of Healthcare & Technology	Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician	Stratford, CT	At least two but less than four years: 5
American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education	Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician	Piscataway, NJ	At least two but less than four years: 31
American Institute of Medical Technology	Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician	Tulsa, OK	At least two but less than four years: 44

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Schools ?

303 United States

School

Program Name

Location

Length / Graduates

Ace Institute of Technology