Sonography is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to visualize structures in the human body. Sonographers are trained to use sonogram machines, recognize the images created, and report any pertinent information. Ultrasound tech salary have been on rise, following the upward trend of employment for sonographers since 2010.
Sonography salary outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the upward trend in employment will continue until 2020, with an increase of 45.4 percent. A predicted rise in annual income and hourly wages is expected along with the rise in sonographer employment. In 2012, the mean annual salary nationwide was $66,360. The mean hourly wage was at $31.90. There is a predicted increase to $70,000 to $80,000 of the average annual salary in 2013 and 2014.
The list below shows the industries with the highest paying sonography salaries in 2012.
The list below shows the industries with the highest paying sonography salaries in 2012.
- College and university-affiliated hospitals - $74,940
- Outpatient centers - $72,200
- Physicians’ offices - $66,900
- General and surgical hospitals - $66,390
- Diagnostic laboratories - $64,340
Great places to work as a sonographer
The highest paying states in the United States to work as a sonographer are California, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, and Connecticut in 2013. Listed below are the average annual salaries in the previously mentioned states.
The states with the highest number of employed sonographers in 2013 were California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania. California had over 5,180 employed sonographers last year, with those in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metropolitan area (590 employed) earning $107,150 annually on average.
- California - $84,220
- Oregon - $81,010
- Washington – $79,980
- Massachusetts - $78,450
- Connecticut - $78,430
The states with the highest number of employed sonographers in 2013 were California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania. California had over 5,180 employed sonographers last year, with those in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metropolitan area (590 employed) earning $107,150 annually on average.
Salary stand-off with other health care-related jobs
Compared to other medical technologists, sonographers on average earn the same or more. Median salaries of sonographers are more or less the same than dental hygienists and registered nurses, above other health care jobs such as medical assistances, lab technicians, and radiologic technicians. The median salaries of these other professions are shown below.
Seeing as dentists and nurses are the top two best jobs to have in 2013, sonography is not too far off. The salaries are great, with opportunities to move up the pay scale with certification and specialization.
- Dental hygienists - $69,280
- Registered nurse - $65,690
- Sonographer - $65,210
- Radiologist - $55,120
- Lab technician - $36,950
- Medical assistant – $29,100
Seeing as dentists and nurses are the top two best jobs to have in 2013, sonography is not too far off. The salaries are great, with opportunities to move up the pay scale with certification and specialization.
Specialties and certification
Unlike dentists and nurses, sonographers don’t have an official licensing body in the United States. The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) have certification exams for sonographers, held throughout the year. Being certified and having a specialty (particularly in cardiac or neurologic sinology) assures that a sonographer will have more and better employment opportunities, as well as a higher starting ultrasound technician salary.