Diagnostic ultrasound technicians work under a variety of titles including diagnostic medical sonographer, ultrasonography technician or simply ultrasound tech. These health care professionals use sophisticated medical equipment to generate diagnostic images through the application of ultrahigh frequency sound waves. Ultrasound techs are frequently associated with obstetrics, where they generate images of babies in the womb, but sonography can be used to diagnose problems throughout the body. The median compensation for diagnostic ultrasound technicians exceeds the national average.
Wages
The annual wages for diagnostic ultrasound technicians as of May 2009 ranged from less than $43,990 to more than $85,950, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median income for ultrasound techs was $63,010. The mean hourly wage for ultrasound techs was $30.60. Income levels for ultrasound techs can be affected by such factors as experience, geographical location and the type of employer.
Experience
Diagnostic ultrasound technicians can expect to earn between $14.74 and $22.24 per hour during their first year on the job, according to PayScale in December 2010. Ultrasound techs with more than five years experience under their belt may earn between $24.92 and $32.90 per hour. Diagnostic ultrasound technicians with more than 20 years experience can earn more than $37.00 per hour.
Geography
Florida offers diagnostic ultrasound technicians the greatest employment opportunities. Other states with high concentrations of ultrasound techs include Connecticut, New Mexico, Alabama and Rhode Island. Massachusetts tops the states that offer the highest wages for diagnostic ultrasound technicians with a mean annual wage of $78,460. Other states with mean wages of more than $75,000 for ultrasound techs include Oregon, Washington, Colorado and Alaska.
Employer
Hospitals and private physicians' offices offer the greatest employment opportunities for diagnostic ultrasound technicians, according to the BLS. Laboratories, outpatient care facilities, and colleges and universities also offer significant employment opportunities for ultrasound techs. The BLS anticipates a shift in demand for ultrasound techs to come from the rise in demand for outpatient services. Those who work for employment services and management companies are expected to earn the highest average wage.
Tags: ultrasound technicians, more than, diagnostic ultrasound technicians, employment opportunities, ultrasound techs, between hour, diagnostic ultrasound