How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make?

The median pay is $46.44 per hour — roughly $96,500 a year, with the real range running from about $32.60/hr (10th percentile) to $62.20/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a diagnostic medical sonographer?

The typical entry-level education is: Associate degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

What does a diagnostic medical sonographer actually do all day?

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.

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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.

What it pays
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers earn a median of $46.44/hr — about $96,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $32.60/hr; the top 10% earn $62.20/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

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.
Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.
Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Associate degree. Overall preparation: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; you're around people constantly; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 2.5% of diagnostic medical sonographers are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are hands-on, organized and detail-focused and analytical.

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Quick questions

How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make?: The median pay is $46.44 per hour — roughly $96,500 a year, with the real range running from about $32.60/hr (10th percentile) to $62.20/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a diagnostic medical sonographer?: The typical entry-level education is: Associate degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).
What does a diagnostic medical sonographer actually do all day?: 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.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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