Life As a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Occupation Description Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians.
Daily Life Of a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Perform medical procedures, such as administering oxygen, inserting and removing airways, taking vital signs, or giving emergency treatment, such as first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.
- Coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.
- Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
- Supervise or train students or other medical sonographers.
- Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.
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Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Required Skills
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Jobs
- Ultrasound Technician (Ultrasound Tech)
- Cardiac Sonographer
- Ultrasonic Tester
- Staff Sonographer
- Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
Are There Job Opportunities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 67,300 jobs in the United States for Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 23.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 15,600 new jobs for Diagnostic Medical Sonographer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 5,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Diagnostic Medical Sonographer are Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Illinois, or Connecticut. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Make?
The typical yearly salary for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers is somewhere between $51,430 and $100,480.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers who work in Hawaii, Alaska, or California, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $56,450 |
Alaska | $93,740 |
Arizona | $83,320 |
Arkansas | $63,140 |
California | $92,660 |
Colorado | $83,430 |
Connecticut | $82,370 |
Delaware | $72,230 |
District of Columbia | $90,860 |
Florida | $65,830 |
Georgia | $61,960 |
Hawaii | $94,350 |
Idaho | $80,330 |
Illinois | $76,700 |
Indiana | $68,970 |
Iowa | $68,960 |
Kansas | $72,020 |
Kentucky | $65,790 |
Louisiana | $60,360 |
Maine | $78,220 |
Maryland | $75,270 |
Massachusetts | $83,780 |
Michigan | $61,130 |
Minnesota | $80,390 |
Mississippi | $61,200 |
Missouri | $73,920 |
Montana | $76,700 |
Nebraska | $64,200 |
Nevada | $76,220 |
New Hampshire | $79,680 |
New Jersey | $77,110 |
New Mexico | $63,840 |
New York | $74,960 |
North Carolina | $66,850 |
North Dakota | $70,950 |
Ohio | $65,840 |
Oklahoma | $68,900 |
Oregon | $86,380 |
Pennsylvania | $66,470 |
Rhode Island | $84,990 |
South Carolina | $65,870 |
South Dakota | $60,500 |
Tennessee | $64,080 |
Texas | $71,580 |
Utah | $75,070 |
Vermont | $78,210 |
Virginia | $74,390 |
Washington | $87,960 |
West Virginia | $61,740 |
Wisconsin | $83,670 |
Wyoming | $66,090 |
What Tools & Technology do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Diagnostic Medical Sonographers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- MEDITECH software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Calendar and scheduling software
How to Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
What education is needed to be a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?

Where Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Are Employed

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers work in the following industries:

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References:
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