What is a sonographer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Ted Whitten
introduction image

A sonographer is a medical professional who specializes in using ultrasound technology to produce images of internal organs, tissues, and blood flow within the body. They work closely with physicians to assist in diagnosing and monitoring medical conditions, such as pregnancy, and cancer.They operate specialized equipment, analyze findings, and document results for physicians to review. Overall, sonographers are essential members of the healthcare team who help ensure accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans for patients.

What general advice would you give to a Sonographer?

Ted WhittenTed Whitten LinkedIn Profile

President, Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

According to the U.S. Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics, "employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, is projected to grow 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations." https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm#tab-6

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted sonography like it has many other professions. At the beginning of the pandemic, some sonographers were furloughed due to temporary closures of outpatient imaging centers or offices, as well as cancellation of most non-urgent sonography exams in the hospital setting as hospitals planned for expected inpatient surges. While many sonography departments have returned to near normal workflows and volumes, the impact of the renewed surges of COVID-19 patients across the country remains to be seen. Some sonographers have also reported inadequate access to personal protective equipment (PPE) in some parts of the country.
ScoreSonographerUS Average
Salary
6.7

Avg. Salary $85,898

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.0

Growth Rate 10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.26%

Asian 8.77%

Black or African American 4.17%

Hispanic or Latino 10.39%

Unknown 4.43%

White 71.98%

Gender

female 85.02%

male 14.98%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress Level
8.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.9

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
8.2

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Sonographer?

Pros

  • High demand for sonographers

  • Good salary and benefits

  • Opportunity to help diagnose and treat patients

  • Constantly learning and keeping up with technological advancements

  • High job satisfaction from helping patients

Cons

  • Physically demanding job with long periods of standing

  • Exposure to radiation and potential health risks

  • Dealing with difficult patients or sensitive situations

  • Emotionally taxing work, such as delivering bad news to patients

  • High stress and pressure to produce accurate results quickly

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Sonographer career paths

Key steps to become a sonographer

  1. Explore sonographer education requirements

    Most common sonographer degrees

    Associate

    56.6 %

    Bachelor's

    28.6 %

    Certificate

    6.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific sonographer skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Patients18.64%
    Sonography11.38%
    ARDMS10.55%
    Patient Care9.78%
    Ultrasound Equipment6.47%
  3. Complete relevant sonographer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New sonographers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a sonographer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real sonographer resumes.
  4. Gain additional sonographer certifications

    Sonographer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific sonographer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for sonographers include Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Abdomen (RDMS) and Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research sonographer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage and operate the daily operations and supervision of the radiology ultrasound departments.
    • Explain ultrasound procedures to patients, record relevant medical history, reconcile and collect required data.
    • Perform all ultrasound exams, ie: Abd, OB/Gyn, small parts and vascular.
    • Pass ARDMS vascular exam at Oct.
  6. Prepare your sonographer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your sonographer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a sonographer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Sonographer Resume templates

    Build a professional Sonographer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Sonographer resume.
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  7. Apply for sonographer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a sonographer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Sonographer Job

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Average sonographer salary

The average Sonographer salary in the United States is $85,898 per year or $41 per hour. Sonographer salaries range between $58,000 and $125,000 per year.

Average Sonographer Salary
$85,898 Yearly
$41.30 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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