How Much Money Do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that diagnostic medical sonographers make a median salary of $77,740 each year or $37.38 per hour. The bottom 10 percent of diagnostic medical sonographers earn less than $59,640 per year, while the top 10 percent of diagnostic medical sonographers earn more than $101,650 annually.

Do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Get Paid Well?

Diagnostic medical sonographers earn more than the national average ($45,760). They also earn slightly more than the average salary for all health care workers. The median salary for Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations is $75,040. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers typically have an associate's degree. When compared to professions that require a similar level of education, diagnostic medical sonographers earn more. Other professions that require an associate's degree have a median salary of $59,260 per year.

How Much Do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Get Starting Out?

The BLS does not provide average compensation data for entry-level positions for diagnostic medical sonographers just starting out, but the bottom 25 percent of diagnostic medical sonographers earn $62,560 each year.

How Many Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Are There in the United States?

There are 82,300 diagnostic medical sonographers in the U.S.The states with the most diagnostic medical sonographers are California (7,780), Texas (6,570) and New York (6,020).

Where Can Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Earn The Most?

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers can make the most money in California ($109,350), Hawaii ($99,390)and Washington ($95,990). 

Is Becoming A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Worth It?

Deciding whether or not to become a diagnostic medical sonographer depends on a number of factors such as job growth, salary information, job requirements and required education. As a diagnostic medical sonographer, you can expect strong demand for your services—employment for diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow by 14.7  percent between 2021 and 2031.

To become a diagnostic medical sonographer, you typically need to earn an associate's degree in diagnostic medical sonography and pass a certification exam. These programs typically take about two years to complete and include both classroom instruction and clinical experience.

As a diagnostic medical sonographer, you will be responsible for using specialized equipment to produce images of the body's internal organs and tissues. This may include tasks such as preparing patients for procedures, operating ultrasound machines, and reviewing and interpreting images. Diagnostic medical sonographers work closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals to provide diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients. They may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic imaging centers.

Overall, becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer can be a rewarding career choice for those who are interested in the field of diagnostic medical imaging and have strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills. It offers strong job growth and a good salary, but it also requires some education and training.

How Much Do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Earn In Each State?

The table below compares diagnostic sonographer salaries across states and U.S. territories (Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wages May 2020). You can also find data for the number of diagnostic sonographers in each state as well as the number of diagnostic sonographers per 1,000 jobs—a figure that can help you determine the job's popularity in a given location. Not all locations have employment statistics.