Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

What is a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?

A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is a medical imaging professional who uses ultrasound machinery to capture images for diagnosis and treatment of illness or injury. One common use of ultrasound is to look at fetuses in the womb and monitor their health and growth. Ultrasound can also be used to get images of torn ligaments or other injuries of tissues softer than bone. Sonographers must become experts at generating high-quality images, but they don’t examine patients or diagnose injuries themselves. Physicians diagnose and treat patients based on the images produced by sonographers.

Diagnostic medical sonographers primarily work in hospitals, whose imaging departments tend to stay open 24/7, but they can also be hired in the following settings:

Private Practices
Public Health Clinics
Medical and diagnostic laboratories
Outpatient care facilities

What Do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Earn?

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a diagnostic medical sonographer is $64,380 per year, or about $31 per hour. Variation in salary may depend on the type of facility a sonographer works in, their level of experience or training, and the geographic location of their employment. Some cities have higher demand, and therefore higher pay, for sonographers, as is the case with most professions.

Radiology Technician and Health Science Programs

ECPI University SACS	Available Degrees: Associate in Medical Radiography Click Here
California State University Northridge NCA	Available Degrees: Certificate for Radiologic Technology Click Here
Purdue University HLC	Available Degrees: Certificate for Medical Office Administration BS in Health Information Management Click Here
American University ACCSC	Available Degrees: Diagnostic Medical Sonography Click Here
Southern Technical College ACICS	Available Degrees: AS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography AS in Medical Laboratory Technician AS in Surgical Technician Click Here
McCann School of Business and Technology CAAHEP	Available Degrees: AS in Medical Laboratory Technician Click Here