Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, OverviewLeave a Comment

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Job description [/custom_headline]

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians.

  • Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
  • Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
  • Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
  • Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
Read more about what does a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Salary [/custom_headline]
Average salary
$73860 per year

Average hourly wage
$36 per hour

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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers with little to no experience tend to make between $51430 and $60060 while the more experienced ones can earn over $86190 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
HI $45 $94,350
AK $45 $93,740
CA $45 $92,660
DC $44 $90,860
WA $42 $87,960

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is to move to a higher paying state like HI. Right now, the highest paying states for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are HI, AK, CA, DC and WA.

However, a higher pay at HI doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at HI might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″] Requirements [/custom_headline]
Recommended degree level
Associate’s degree

We asked other Diagnostic Medical Sonographers what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had an Associate’s Degree followed by a Post-Secondary Certificate.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician
Read more about how to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer and the degree, training and education you need.

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″] Pros and Cons [/custom_headline]

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer.

[icon type=”thumbs-o-up”] PROS
Suitable for people who likes to solve problems mentally
Suitable for people who values relationships between co-workers and customers and wants to work in a friendly non-competitive environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Short working hours (Less than 40 hours per week)
[icon type=”thumbs-o-down”] CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]What is the job like[/custom_headline]
Job satisfaction
76%

Is this job meaningful
83%

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76% of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers said they were satisfied with their job and 83% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

Laura Horton
Public hospital

I’m a sonographer in a public hospital. I use ultrasound to scan people to find diseases, cancers, injuries, any abnormalities in children, fetuses, and adults. I arrive half an hour early every day in order to get all my machines, bookings, and reporting systems up and running. I look over my booked patients for the … Read More

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[custom_headline class=”subheading” type=”left” level=”h3″]Is this right for me[/custom_headline]
Best personality for this career
The Thinkers and The Helpers

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

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[content_band class=”toc-bottom” border=”all”] [custom_headline type=”left” style=”margin-top: 0;” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h5″]Learn more about Diagnostic Medical Sonographers[/custom_headline]
[icon type=”home”] Summary (You are here)
[icon type=”list-ul”] Job Description
[icon type=”dollar”] Salary
[icon type=”graduation-cap”] Requirements
[icon type=”heart”] Quiz
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Related career information

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers job description, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salary, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers information, what is the job of a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer like, pros and cons about Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, colleges and universities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, is Diagnostic Medical Sonographers the right career for me, careers in Healthcare and Medical

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