Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Diagnostic medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to create images of inside the body.
Is diagnostic medical sonographers a good career?
It scores 37/100 and ranks #87 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($96,590 vs $61,390)
- Faster-than-average projected growth (+13.0% through 2034)
Possible tradeoffs
- No notable tradeoffs stand out in the wage and projection data.
What diagnostic medical sonographers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. diagnostic medical sonographers earn between $80,430 and $106,930 a year.
Best-paying states
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- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow much faster than average through 2034.
Education
High school students who are interested in becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer may benefit from taking classes in anatomy, physiology, physics, and math.
Two- and 4-year colleges and universities offer associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in sonography. Certificate programs also are available from colleges and some hospitals.
Sonography programs usually include courses in anatomy, medical terminology, and applied sciences, as well as specialized instruction in areas such as abdominal or breast sonography. Programs also typically include a clinical component in which students earn credit while working under the direction of an experienced worker in a hospital, a physician’s office, or an imaging laboratory.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Some diagnostic medical sonographers need a state-issued license.
Employers may require or prefer that these workers earn professional certification, which helps to show competency in the field.
These workers also may need basic life support (BLS) or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Diagnostic medical sonographers must be able to explain procedures to patients in an understandable way. They also must convey information clearly when discussing images with physicians and other members of the healthcare team.
Detail oriented. Diagnostic medical sonographers must follow precise instructions to obtain the images needed to diagnose and treat patients. They also must pay attention to the images they produce, because healthy and unhealthy areas may be subtle.
Hand–eye coordination. To get quality images, diagnostic medical sonographers must accurately move equipment on the patient’s body in response to what they see on the screen.
Interpersonal skills. Diagnostic medical sonographers work closely with patients, including those who may be in pain, so they should be patient and understanding. They also must be able to work well with others on the healthcare team.
Physical stamina. Diagnostic medical sonographers stand for long periods and must be able to lift and move patients who need assistance.
Technical skills. Diagnostic medical sonographers must understand how to operate complex machinery and computerized instruments.
Related occupations
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make?
The national median wage is $96,590 a year, with the middle half earning between $80,430 and $106,930 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is diagnostic medical sonographers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 37 of 100 and ranks #87 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +13.0% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a diagnostic medical sonographer?
The typical entry-level education is associate's degree.
Where do diagnostic medical sonographers earn the most?
Among states, California pays the highest median ($128,530). Local pay for every state and metro is below.