Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians.
Table of contents
What they do
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians.
- 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles. They observe screen during scan to ensure that the image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
A typical day for a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer will also include:
- Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
- Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
- 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.
- Record and store suitable images, using a camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment.
- Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers also maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary. They may also perform medical procedures, such as administering oxygen, inserting and removing airways, taking vital signs, or giving emergency treatment, such as first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
On a weekly to monthly basis, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers supervise or train students or other medical sonographers. They might also load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.
In addition, they perform legal and ethical duties, including preparing safety or accident reports, obtaining written consent from patients to perform invasive procedures, or reporting symptoms of abuse or neglect.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.
To some Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, it is also their responsibility to clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests, or performing minor repairs as necessary.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
76% said they were satisfied with their job and 83% said they found their job meaningful.
I’m a sonographer in a public hospital. I use ultrasound to scan people to find diseases, cancers, injuries, any abnormalities in children, fetuses, and adults.
My Typical Day
I arrive half an hour early every day in order to get all my machines, bookings, and reporting systems up and running. I look over my booked patients for the day, to make sure I don’t need any special equipment such as injection supplies or patient hoists, etc. Then I start scanning patients and reporting the results to the referrer.
Pros
It’s very satisfying to be able to help patients on their health journey. I can either reassure them or if I find something that needs further attention, I can help make it happen for them with my report. I spend up to 30 minutes with each patient, so I often bond with people in that time. I have had to deliver very bad news to people at times, and they often thank me and hug me because they finally have an answer to their problem. I always find this very humbling and upsetting.
Cons
It is exhausting because you have to be there, right next to every person you deal with. When I go home, I just want to be quiet and rest.
Pros
Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.
Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Short working hours (Less than 40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Diagnostic Medical Sonographers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $53,790 to $63,020 per year or $26 to $30 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $105,340 | $51 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $90,940 | $44 |
| Median | $75,920 | $36 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $63,020 | $30 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $53,790 | $26 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Care Centers | $102070 | $49.07 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $87190 | $41.92 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $84710 | $40.73 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | $84530 | $40.64 |
| Employment Services | $84300 | $40.53 |
| Specialty Hospitals | $81270 | $39.07 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $77510 | $37.27 |
| Offices of Physicians | $76230 | $36.65 |
| Other Ambulatory Health Care Services | $72460 | $34.84 |
| Home Health Care Services | $72270 | $34.74 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Diagnostic Medical Sonographers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 44570 | $77510 | $37.27 |
| Offices of Physicians | 15110 | $76230 | $36.65 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | 8330 | $71830 | $34.53 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 3200 | $102070 | $49.07 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 750 | $84710 | $40.73 |
| Specialty Hospitals | 600 | $81270 | $39.07 |
| Employment Services | 490 | $84300 | $40.53 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 160 | $87190 | $41.92 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 160 | $84530 | $40.64 |
| Individual and Family Services | 130 | $52890 | $25.43 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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