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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.
Other titles employers use
Cardiac Sonographer · Diagnostic Medical Sonographer · Medical Sonographer · Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) · Sonographer · Staff Sonographer · Ultrasonographer · Ultrasound Technician (Ultrasound Tech)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Physics
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Administrative
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Near Vision
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.8 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 3.0 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.3 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.8 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for an associate degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A two-year degree 47%
- A certificate or some college 19%
- A four-year degree 17%
- A doctorate or professional degree 17%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Medical software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 10,800
- Job openings each year
- 710
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 24.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 10,800 | 710 | 24.1% |
| Texas | 8,580 | 580 | 28.3% |
| New York | 8,280 | 180 | 27.0% |
| Florida | 8,160 | 520 | 22.2% |
| North Carolina | 4,290 | 290 | 26.5% |
| New Jersey | 4,200 | 260 | 17.6% |
| Ohio | 4,040 | 240 | 11.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 3,590 | 210 | 12.5% |
| Michigan | 3,360 | 190 | 10.5% |
| Illinois | 3,300 | 190 | 10.7% |
| Georgia | 3,000 | 200 | 26.6% |
| Tennessee | 2,540 | 170 | 26.4% |
| Arizona | 2,360 | 160 | 33.3% |
| Virginia | 2,290 | 140 | 12.3% |
| Washington | 2,140 | 160 | 16.9% |
| Minnesota | 1,780 | 110 | 14.8% |
| Colorado | 1,740 | 120 | 27.0% |
| Wisconsin | 1,600 | 100 | 19.4% |
| Missouri | 1,530 | 100 | 17.7% |
| Alabama | 1,510 | 90 | 17.1% |
| Indiana | 1,510 | 90 | 13.5% |
| Louisiana | 1,360 | 80 | 16.2% |
| Maryland | 1,310 | 80 | 15.9% |
| Oklahoma | 1,280 | 80 | 12.3% |
| Oregon | 1,280 | 80 | 19.6% |
| Connecticut | 1,240 | 80 | 17.0% |
| South Carolina | 1,160 | 70 | 17.2% |
| Kentucky | 1,090 | 70 | 14.7% |
| Utah | 950 | 70 | 35.7% |
| Massachusetts | 890 | 50 | 17.1% |
| Iowa | 830 | 50 | 20.3% |
| Kansas | 760 | 50 | 13.4% |
| West Virginia | 720 | 40 | 12.5% |
| Mississippi | 630 | 40 | 14.5% |
| Puerto Rico | 630 | 40 | 26.0% |
| Nevada | 610 | 40 | 22.0% |
| Arkansas | 540 | 30 | 20.0% |
| Nebraska | 460 | 30 | 9.5% |
| New Mexico | 440 | 30 | 29.4% |
| Idaho | 410 | 30 | 32.3% |
| Maine | 400 | 20 | 8.1% |
| New Hampshire | 390 | 20 | 14.7% |
| South Dakota | 390 | 30 | 21.9% |
| Rhode Island | 370 | 20 | 12.1% |
| District of Columbia | 330 | 20 | 13.8% |
| Delaware | 320 | 20 | 28.0% |
| North Dakota | 300 | 20 | 20.0% |
| Montana | 230 | 20 | 27.8% |
| Alaska | 160 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Vermont | 130 | 10 | 18.2% |
| Wyoming | 100 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Virgin Islands | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Boise State University
- Degrees each year
- 272
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
Midwestern State University
- Degrees each year
- 218
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Oregon Institute of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 168
- Admit rate
- 92%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
University of Missouri-Columbia
- Degrees each year
- 93
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Ohio State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 87
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Sacred Heart University
- Degrees each year
- 86
- Admit rate
- 68%
- Annual cost after aid
- $42,000
Georgia Southern University
- Degrees each year
- 84
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
MCPHS University
- Degrees each year
- 76
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $38,000
Compare every college offering allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions