Because of the large impact exploratory surgery has on patients, physicians opt to use less-invasive diagnostic tools whenever possible. Sonography is a method of sending high-pitched sound waves through tissue to create images based upon the sounds reflected back. Ultrasound technicians may merely be trained in operating a sonogram machine or may also be schooled in interpreting the results of the test, too.
Average Salary
The average salary of an ultrasound technician is $64,899 as of December 2010, according to Salary.com. Half of all sonographers earned between $52,570 and $73,680 as of May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. The most highly compensated 10 percent of ultrasound technicians earned more than $83,950, according to the handbook.
By Experience
Ultrasound diagnostic operators' earning potential grows the longer they stay in the profession, with those in the field for 10 years potentially making double that of a new hire. Technicians with less than a year of experience could expect a salary between $30,625 and $50,054 as of December 2010, according to PayScale. Those with 10 to 19 years' experience boast earnings starting at $52,954 and reaching as high as $75,023.
By City
Some cities boast higher average salaries for ultrasound technicians than the national average. Those practicing in Colorado, where technicians are compensated the best, may expect average yearly earnings of $78,378 as of December 2010, according to Salary Expert. Other cities in which sonogram technicians are also well compensated include Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Illinios and Arizona, all of which report average annual salaries above $70,000, according to Salary Expert.
Employment Outlook
Ultrasound technicians can become certified to operate in specialties such as obstetrics or abdominal, and those with the most certifications will have the best chance for employment and increased earning power, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the number of ultrasound technician positions to increase by 18 percent between 2008 and 2018. That's double the average growth rate for all job specialties.
Tags: 2010 according, according Salary, December 2010, December 2010 according, 2010 according Salary, according Salary Expert