Sononography Salaries in the US
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Like other occupations in the United States, sonographers can earn less, more, or on average depending on where they work or what their specialty is. Geographic location plays a big role in differentiating salaries, as well as diagnostic medical sonographer specialties. Even specific cities earn much more than other areas in the same location or state. With 2014 drawing to a close, 2015 is seen to bring even more improvements to sonographer job outlooks in the US.
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The Golden State
When people talk about salaries, California is always on top of the list. One of the most common questions revolve around how to become an ultrasound tech in California. That’s because the highest paying state in the US, as well as the state with the highest levels of employment, is The Golden State. By mid-2013, there were 4,710 sonographers in California earning an average of $86,550 annually. That’s well above the nation’s average annual salary of $67,170 for sonographers – and even higher than the average for all occupations which was $46,440 in 2013.
Highest-paying Areas
Other states that make up the top-five highest paying states in the US for sonographers are:
· Oregon – 440 employed, annual salary of $83,830
· Washington – 1,400 employed, annual salary of $80,820
· Alaska - 80 employed, annual salary of $80,400
· Rhode Island - 250 employed, annual salary of $78,750
Certain metropolitan areas or cities earn even more than a state’s average annual salary for sonographers, particularly specific cities in California.
· San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood, CA - 260 employed, annual salary of $111,700
· San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA - 200 employed, annual salary of $110,150
· Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, CA - 390 employed, annual salary of $107,450
· Vallejo-Fairfield, CA - 60 employed, annual salary of $99,540
· Santa Rose-Petaluma, CA - 40 employed, annual salary of $97,930
Sonographer Specialties
Another factor to consider when talking about salaries is employment. Similar to other medical professions, such as physicians, certain sonographer specialties earn more than others. Physicians in surgery earn more than those in general medicine – the same applies to sonographers. Neurosonographers and pediatric sonographers earn as much as $80,000 average annual salary, being the top-two specialties in terms of salary.
Versus Other Occupations
When it comes to the old ultrasound technician vs radiology technician question, sonographers earn much more. Compared to similar medical technician jobs, sonographers have a better job outlook and salary, with a predicted 46 percent increase in the number of sonographers working in the US from 2012 to 2022. This is because the training to become a sonographer is much more complex, needing as much as four years of education to become one.
What Do You Have To Do To Be an Ultrasound Tech
To be a diagnostic medical sonographer or ultrasound technician, you have to enroll in a DMS or Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. You can find on-campus programs in most colleges and universities, but online ultrasound programs are also available. Ultrasound tech schools in CA are numerous because of the great employment and salary. You can visit the CAAHEP website for a list of accredited programs.
When people talk about salaries, California is always on top of the list. One of the most common questions revolve around how to become an ultrasound tech in California. That’s because the highest paying state in the US, as well as the state with the highest levels of employment, is The Golden State. By mid-2013, there were 4,710 sonographers in California earning an average of $86,550 annually. That’s well above the nation’s average annual salary of $67,170 for sonographers – and even higher than the average for all occupations which was $46,440 in 2013.
Highest-paying Areas
Other states that make up the top-five highest paying states in the US for sonographers are:
· Oregon – 440 employed, annual salary of $83,830
· Washington – 1,400 employed, annual salary of $80,820
· Alaska - 80 employed, annual salary of $80,400
· Rhode Island - 250 employed, annual salary of $78,750
Certain metropolitan areas or cities earn even more than a state’s average annual salary for sonographers, particularly specific cities in California.
· San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood, CA - 260 employed, annual salary of $111,700
· San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA - 200 employed, annual salary of $110,150
· Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, CA - 390 employed, annual salary of $107,450
· Vallejo-Fairfield, CA - 60 employed, annual salary of $99,540
· Santa Rose-Petaluma, CA - 40 employed, annual salary of $97,930
Sonographer Specialties
Another factor to consider when talking about salaries is employment. Similar to other medical professions, such as physicians, certain sonographer specialties earn more than others. Physicians in surgery earn more than those in general medicine – the same applies to sonographers. Neurosonographers and pediatric sonographers earn as much as $80,000 average annual salary, being the top-two specialties in terms of salary.
Versus Other Occupations
When it comes to the old ultrasound technician vs radiology technician question, sonographers earn much more. Compared to similar medical technician jobs, sonographers have a better job outlook and salary, with a predicted 46 percent increase in the number of sonographers working in the US from 2012 to 2022. This is because the training to become a sonographer is much more complex, needing as much as four years of education to become one.
What Do You Have To Do To Be an Ultrasound Tech
To be a diagnostic medical sonographer or ultrasound technician, you have to enroll in a DMS or Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. You can find on-campus programs in most colleges and universities, but online ultrasound programs are also available. Ultrasound tech schools in CA are numerous because of the great employment and salary. You can visit the CAAHEP website for a list of accredited programs.