Sonographers, also known as ultrasound techs or diagnostic medical sonographers, help to diagnose medical conditions through the use of ultrasound devices. This equipment produces sound waves to image the internal parts of a patient's body. They maintain and clean equipment, prepare the patient for imaging, perform the scan and then send the results to the ordering physician with a report. The position typically requires specialized training in vocational schools or hospitals.
Basics
As of May 2009, the median salary for sonographers was $30.30 per hour or $63,010 per year, with the bottom 10 percent making $21.15 hourly or $43,990 annually, and the top 10 percent earning $41.32 hourly or $85,950 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Industries
Salaries vary by industry. The highest paying industries for this profession are employment services, which pay $32.70 hourly or $68,020 annually; company management services, which pay $32.64 or $67,890; specialty hospitals (not including psychiatric hospitals), which pay $32.24 or $67,070; colleges and universities, which pay $31.85 or $66,250; and outpatient care centers, which pay $31.04 or $64,560, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
States
The location of the job can affect compensation. The highest paying states for this profession are Massachusetts, where the average salary is $37.72 an hour or $78,460 a year; Oregon, $37.65 or $78,320; Colorado, $37.20 or $77,380; Washington, $37.01 or $76,980; and Alaska, $36.30 or $75,500, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Cities
The city of employment can also determine pay. The highest paying cities for this profession are Santa Cruz, California, where the average salary for the profession is $46.89 hourly or $97,530 annually; San Jose, California, $44.56 or $92,680; Worcester, Massachusetts, $43.48 or $90,440; Boulder, Colorado, $40.28 or $83,790; and Santa Rosa, California, $39.97 or $83,130, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Popularity
The areas employing the most sonographers do not always offer the best pay. For example, the most popular industries for this profession are general medical and surgical hospitals, which pay $30.66 an hour or $63,770 a year, and physicians' offices, which pay $30.68 or $63,820. The most popular states are Florida, where the average rate of pay is $26.94 hourly or $56,030 annually, and Connecticut, at $35.41 or $73,660. The cities with the most sonographers are Santa Cruz, California, with an average salary of $46.89 hourly or $97,530 annually, and San Jose, California, at $44.56 hourly or $92,680 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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