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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers


Overview

Introduction

Diagnostic medical sonographers, or sonographers, use advanced technology in the form of high-frequency sound waves similar to sonar to produce images of the internal body for analysis by radiologists and other physicians. There are about 72,900 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the United States.

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$72,510

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Employment Prospects

Excellent

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Minimum Education Level

Associate's Degree
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Experience

Internships


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Skills

Interpersonal
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Personality Traits

Helpful
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Earnings

Diagnostic medical sonographers earned a median annual income of $72,510 in May 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The lowest paid 10 percent of this group, which included those just beginning in the field, made approximately $51,430. The highest paid 10 percent, which included those with experience and managerial duties, earned more than $100,480 annually. Mean earni...

Work Environment

A variety of work settings exist for sonographers, from health maintenance organizations to mobile imaging centers to clinical research labs. In health care settings, diagnostic medical sonographers may work in departments of obstetrics/gynecology, cardiology, neurology, and others.

Sonographers enjoy a workplace that is clean, indoors, well lit, quiet, and professional. Most sonographer...

Outlook

Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to increase 19 percent from 2018 to 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, much faster than the average for all careers. One reason for this growth is that sonography is a safe, nonradioactive imaging process. In addition, sonography has proved successful in detecting life-threatening diseases and in analyzing previously nonim...