Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary

A diagnostic medical sonographer specializes in interpreting ultrasound waves. Sonography is a radiation-free way to examine parts of the body such as the abdomen, heart and blood vessels. The salary of a sonographer can range based on many variables.

National Figures

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average wage for a sonographer is $62,660 annually. The median annual wage is roughly $61,980 nationwide.

Experience

Someone with less than one year of experience could make $21.99 per hour as a median wage, but having over 10 years of experience might increase that wage to $31.98, according to PayScale.

Location

The state you choose to work in may affect your salary. According to PayScale, a sonographer working in California may earn a median hourly wage of $33.83, while someone in Ohio may earn only $25.10 hourly.

Employer

Those working for hospitals tend to earn a lower hourly wage, making roughly $28.08 for median earnings. If she is self-employed, however, her wage may be as high as $40 per hour.

Qualifications

One way to earn more is to have better qualifications than other applicants. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, someone with higher education, experience in training programs and a registry certification will be more desirable than other applicants.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• PayScale

Resources

• Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography