A doctor is shown with a sonogram.
Those who work in ultrasonography are classified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (USBLS) as Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Ultrasonography, also called sonography, involves the utilization of sound waves to build an image for the assessment and diagnosis of medical conditions. Approximately 50,300 sonographer jobs existed in the U.S. in 2008.
Average Annual Salary
Nearly 60 percent of all sonographer positions exist in public or private hospitals, working in all departments ranging from obstetrics and gynecology to nearly every feasible area of health. Faster than average employment growth is expected, with an 18 percent increase in available jobs in the field projected between now and 2018. This will increase available positions by more than 9,000 jobs. According to the USBLS, the average yearly wage of diagnostic medical sonographers in 2008 stood at $61,980.
Salary Breakdown
The middle 50 percent of sonographers earned between $52,570 and $73,680 annually, while the bottom 10 percent earned less than $43,600, and the top 10 percent enjoyed an average salary of $83,950. Those working in the offices of private practice physicians earned a slightly higher 2008 median wage of $62,340. Employment is expected to grow especially rapidly in the offices of private physicians, in addition to medical and diagnostic laboratories, although hospitals will remain the most significant employer.
Education and Training
As with all occupations, average annual salary for an individual sonographer may depend on education and training. Colleges and universities offer both two- and four-year programs in diagnostic medical sonography, resulting in either associate or bachelor's degrees. More than 150 training programs were accredited across the country in 2008. One-year programs are also available; these are typically utilized by those professionals already working in health care who wish to enhance knowledge and career opportunities.
Advancement
Certification and registration can also increase the expected annual salary of an individual employed in ultrasonography. While no state requires licensure, employers often prefer to hire and advance those who are registered with accrediting bodies as having sufficient knowledge in the career. Continuing education is often required to maintain registration. The salary of the typical sonographer may increase if he is proficient in more than one area of sonography; for example, both cardiac sonography and abdominal sonography.
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