What You Need to Know About Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Job Description: Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians.
Life As a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests or performing minor repairs as necessary.
- Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
- 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).
- Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.
- Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.
- Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
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Things a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Should Know How to Do
When polled, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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
- Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
- Polysomnographic Technologist
- Cardiovascular Sonographer
- Ultrasound Technician (Ultrasound Tech)
- Ultra Sound Technician
Job Outlook 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. There will be an estimated 5,400 positions for Diagnostic Medical Sonographer per 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.
What is the Average Salary of a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
The salary for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers ranges between about $51,430 and $100,480 a year.

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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Diagnostic Medical Sonographers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- MEDITECH software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Calendar and scheduling software
Becoming a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Are there Diagnostic Medical Sonographers education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?

Who Employs Diagnostic Medical Sonographers?

The table below shows the approximate number of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers employed by various industries.

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer may also be interested in:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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