Sonography is one of the top paying health care jobs in the country, paying over $66,360 annually on average for sonographers employed in 2012. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) actually predicts an employment increase for sonographers by as much as 45.3% between 2010 and 2020, creating over 27,000 new jobs in a 10-year span. This article will highlight the 7 top paying states that offer the best sonography salary in the country.
Sonography in the United States
The latest report by the BLS gives out information for salaries in 2012 for sonographers. In 2012, there were 57,700 sonographers employed in the country, earning a mean hourly wage of $31.90 and a mean annual wage of $66,360.Sonographers often ask how to “increase your salary”; different factors contribute to different salary data, primarily industry setting, education and credentials, specialty area, and geographical location.
States that paid sonographers the best
Out of 50 states, the 7 top paying states in the country were California, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Alaska, and Rhode Island. Similarly, California was also the state with the highest employment levels, employing over 5,180 sonographers in 2012. More data can be found through the link.
California
By May 2012, California had the highest employment levels and highest annual salary of sonographers in the country. There were 5,180 sonographers working in California by May 2012, with a mean hourly wage of $40.49 and a mean annual wage of $84,220. The annual salary in this state was much higher than the nationwide average annual salary of $66,360 and the nationwide median of $65,860
Oregon
The 27th state with the biggest population is Oregon. The state is the 2nd state with the highest salary for sonographers. In 2012, there were 460 employed sonographers earning $38.05 hourly wage. Despite having a small number of sonographers employed, these sonographers were among the top-paid in the entire country. The sonographers earned $81,010 annually.
Washington
Washington is the third state with the best salary for sonographers in 2012. There were 1,330 sonographers employed at that time, earning a mean hourly wage of $38.45 and a mean annual wage of $79.980.
Massachusetts
The state of Massachusetts has over 1,460 employed sonographers in 2012. They were earning $37.72 per hour on average, with an annual mean wage of $78.50. This made the state the fourth highest paying state for sonographers in 2012.
Connecticut
Connecticut had 840 employed sonographers by May 2012, who earned $37.71 hourly. The hourly wage amounted to an annual salary of $78,430. Connecticut stands as the fifth top-paying state for sonographers in the country.
Alaska
Alaska is one of the states with the least number of employed sonographers, but this state compensates by being the sixth top state that pays sonographers the highest. With 160 sonographers working in Alaska, sonographers were earning a mean hourly wage of $37.41 amounting to an annual wage of $77,840.
Rhode Island
The seventh – and last on this list – state that paid sonographers well in the United States was Rhode Island. There were 310 employed sonographers in this state, earning $36.76 hourly and $76,450 annually on average.
The upward trend of employment and sonography salary was seen in 2013 and is expected to continue in 2014. There are more and more opportunities opening for sonographers employed this year, especially the as the demand for health care workers in general continues to grow. The 7 states top paying are the best places to start looking for work as a sonographer.
California
By May 2012, California had the highest employment levels and highest annual salary of sonographers in the country. There were 5,180 sonographers working in California by May 2012, with a mean hourly wage of $40.49 and a mean annual wage of $84,220. The annual salary in this state was much higher than the nationwide average annual salary of $66,360 and the nationwide median of $65,860
Oregon
The 27th state with the biggest population is Oregon. The state is the 2nd state with the highest salary for sonographers. In 2012, there were 460 employed sonographers earning $38.05 hourly wage. Despite having a small number of sonographers employed, these sonographers were among the top-paid in the entire country. The sonographers earned $81,010 annually.
Washington
Washington is the third state with the best salary for sonographers in 2012. There were 1,330 sonographers employed at that time, earning a mean hourly wage of $38.45 and a mean annual wage of $79.980.
Massachusetts
The state of Massachusetts has over 1,460 employed sonographers in 2012. They were earning $37.72 per hour on average, with an annual mean wage of $78.50. This made the state the fourth highest paying state for sonographers in 2012.
Connecticut
Connecticut had 840 employed sonographers by May 2012, who earned $37.71 hourly. The hourly wage amounted to an annual salary of $78,430. Connecticut stands as the fifth top-paying state for sonographers in the country.
Alaska
Alaska is one of the states with the least number of employed sonographers, but this state compensates by being the sixth top state that pays sonographers the highest. With 160 sonographers working in Alaska, sonographers were earning a mean hourly wage of $37.41 amounting to an annual wage of $77,840.
Rhode Island
The seventh – and last on this list – state that paid sonographers well in the United States was Rhode Island. There were 310 employed sonographers in this state, earning $36.76 hourly and $76,450 annually on average.
The upward trend of employment and sonography salary was seen in 2013 and is expected to continue in 2014. There are more and more opportunities opening for sonographers employed this year, especially the as the demand for health care workers in general continues to grow. The 7 states top paying are the best places to start looking for work as a sonographer.