A cardiac sonographer may supply a physician with still or moving images.
A sonographer is a diagnostic medical professional who operates ultrasonic imaging devices to produce pictures of the internal anatomy of patients. A cardiac sonographer specializes in images of the heart, pulmonary system, esophagus and the vascular system in the chest cavity. She supplies these images to physicians and surgeons to aid diagnosis of afflictions and determine correct treatments. Her salary will depend upon the specific circumstances of her employment.
Average Salary
Wage data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and published in May 2009 lists the mean yearly salary for a cardiovascular technologist, a category that includes cardiac sonographers, as $49,730, equivalent to an hourly pay rate of $23.91. Synthesizing data from 48,070 practitioners, the BLS reported that the median 50 percent of earners achieved an average salary of $48,300, the top 10 percent gained $76,220, and the bottom 10 percent received a mean salary of $25,940.
Salary by Employer
The BLS survey also revealed the differing levels of salary available to a cardiac sonographer in different sectors of the health care industry. Positions in the offices of other health practitioners offered the highest average remuneration at $62,290 per year. This was followed by medical and diagnostic laboratories, listed at $54,740, and the offices of physicians (private practices) at $53,000. Outpatient care centers and general medical and surgical hospitals offered comparable pay rates, $48,850 and $48,830 respectively.
Salary by Location
The geographical location in which a registered cardiac sonographer practices her profession may impact her salary. According to the BLS, Massachusetts and New Jersey offer the highest average salaries to certified practitioners, $63,720 and $63,140 respectively. In contrast, Florida and Alabama offer considerably lower pay rates, $40,840 and $40,540. In terms of a single metropolitan location, the area consisting of San Jose, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara in California is listed as offering the highest wages, $73,620 per year.
Certification
In order to become a registered cardiac sonographer, an individual's first step is to attend a sonography program at an educational establishment accredited by an organization like the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This program may lead to a certificate or associate's degree. She must then pass written examinations to become a registered practitioner. The two certification bodies relevant to a cardiac sonographer are the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). A registered cardiac sonographer must undergo regular examination to maintain her certification from these organizations.
Prospects
Cardiovascular technologists, such as registered cardiac sonographers, should experience a buoyant job market in the immediate future. The BLS estimates that demand for qualified practitioners will increase by approximately 24 percent through 2018. This outstrips the national rate across all occupations in America, predicted to be between seven and 13 percent for the same period. An aging population increasing the incidence of heart disease is cited as a primary factor in this growth. As such, registered cardiac sonographers should continue to receive excellent rates of pay.
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