Ultrasound techs can manipulate the controls of ultrasound scanners.
Ultrasound techs, also known as medical sonographers, image the inside of the human body using high-frequency sound waves. Training is available from hospitals, vocational institutions, colleges and universities, or the military. Licensing is not mandatory. However, techs with voluntary credentials from professional bodies, such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, may find better job opportunities.
Specialties
Ultrasound techs can specialize when working in large facilities or in teams with other techs. Obstetric and gynecological techs concentrate on imaging the female reproductive system, such as tracking the fetus of a pregnant woman. Abdominal techs image the abdominal cavity, gallbladder, kidneys, liver, pancreas and spleen. Neurosonographers specialize in the nervous system, including the brain. Breast ultrasound techs focus on diseases of the breasts such as cancer. In any case, the median hourly wage of ultrasound techs is $30.30, with a range of $21.15 to $41.32. The median yearly salary is $63,010, with a range of $43,990 to $85,950. These figures are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2009.
Experience
Experience can increase compensation, according to the PayScale Report. As of December 2010, new techs earn $34,392 to $50,536. Those with one to four years of work earn $39,130 to $59,447, while those with five to nine years get $45,914 to $61,935. Those with 10 to 19 years make $55,106 to $72,413, while those with 20 or more years top out at $60,594 to $81,077.
Employers
The employers that hire the most ultrasound techs are general medical and surgical hospitals, with 59 percent of the total 51,630 jobs. Salaries here average $30.66 hourly or $63,770 yearly. The best-paying positions are with employment services, which use ultrasound technology to screen for medical conditions in job applicants. They pay $32.70 hourly or $68,020 yearly, but only offer 240 positions.
Outlook
The BLS predicts jobs for ultrasound techs to grow by 18 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is faster than average for all positions. Much of the demand will come from an aging population who will rely on diagnostic imaging to discover a growing list of medical conditions. Many health care providers are also relying on the technology as a safer and cost-effective alternative to surgery. Professionals with multiple specialties and credentials will find the widest job options.
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