X-ray technicians and sonographers have different job duties.
While similarities exist between sonographers and x-ray technologists -- such as their involvement in the medical field, employment in medical settings such as hospital or doctors' offices and the fact that they both take diagnostic images of the human body -- the terms are not interchangeable. There are several differences between the two careers. Among those differences are the methods used to capture those images, the education needed and the areas of the body on which they focus.
Education
X-ray technologists, known professionally as radiology technologists, typically earn associate degrees and complete coursework in the subject areas of anatomy and physiology, radiation physics, imaging procedures, medical terminology, medical ethics, radiobiology, pathology and patient care procedures.
Most sonographers also earn an associate degree, with coursework focusing on anatomy, physiology, basic physics, patient care, medical ethics and ultrasound instrumentation.
Licensure
Radiology technologists are not federally mandated to be licensed; however, most states require it before you can begin practicing. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists offers a voluntary certification program, and many employers seek technologists who have earned this certification.
Sonographers do not require licensure in any state. Like radiology technologists, though, there is a voluntary certification program. Offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, obtaining this certification may be beneficial when seeking employment.
Job Duties
Radiology technologists use radiation to perform diagnostic imaging, such as x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. They prepare patients for procedures, position them in the correct way to get a clear image and protect themselves and their patients from unnecessary radiation exposure.
Sonographers use high-frequency sound waves, commonly known as ultrasounds, to obtain images from inside the body. Sonographers use an ultrasound machine to view images of the female and male reproductive systems, abdominal organs, breast tissue and images of the brain and central nervous system.
Wages
In May of 2008, the median annual wage of radiology technologists was $52,210. Technologists who worked in medical and diagnostic laboratories made a median annual wage of $55,210, while those working in physicians' offices made $48,530.
Sonographers during the same time frame made a median annual wage of $61,980. Sonographers working in medical and surgical hospitals earned a median wage of $61,870, while those working in physicians' offices made $62,340.
Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17 percent increase in radiology technologist employment through 2018, and an 18 percent increase in sonography employment through 2018. Both estimates are faster increases than the average expected growth for all occupations.
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