Ultrasound technician salary
The mediaAnnual salary for an ultrasound technicianIt is determined by several variables such as geographic location, work experience, advanced certification in a specialty, and work environment. The top 10% of ultrasound technicians earn an average annual salary of more than88.490 $while the bottom 10% can earn an average annual salary of less than44.900 $. The middle 50% can earn an average annual salary of $61,000 to $74,000.
The workplace or the work environment can also influence the average annual salary, such as:
- $74,540 paid by universities or trade schools
- $72,470 paid by outpatient care centers
- $66,050 paid by doctor's offices
- $65,870 paid by hospitals
- Paid $63,920 for medical and diagnostic labs
Based on years of experience, the average annual salary for a sonographer can be:
- $24,432 to $60,552 with less than 1 year of experience
- $30,620-$65,003 with 1-4 years experience
- $41,015 to $75,267 with 5 to 9 years of experience
- $44,041 to $90,527 with 10 to 19 years of experience
- $47,281-$105,704 with over 20 years of experience
Some of the highest paying states for a sonogram technician to work in include:
- $104,130 in California
- $80.190 in Oregon
- $79,540 outside of Colorado
- $ 79.060 in Connecticut
- $ 78.460 in Massachusetts
Most places where an ultrasound technician can work offer some type of benefits package that includes paid vacation and sick leave, eye and dental care, life insurance, health insurance that can cover the whole family, 401K, pension, social security, profit sharing, annual bonus, and Invalidity allowance in the event of an accident at work, differentiated wages for night and weekend work, allowance for mobile phones on duty, further training allowance to maintain the certificate, uniforms and more.
Salary of a sonographer in 2015
The salary of any of these professionals in 2015 is influenced by a number of factors. From the type of employer to education, income has its ups and downs. In the US, the annualSalary in 2015 can reach $64,386per year with the highest earnings in that job, which can amount to around $88,498 per year and even more. The lowest point that can be added to a sonographer's income can be around $44,913 and even less.
While income can be very competitive and varies by state and region, it is reported among the highest among Allied health experts. People will constantly need the help of a sonographer, so their role is just as important as that of any other healthcare professional.
Salary of ultrasound technician 2016
In the United States, ultrasound technician earnings for 2016 rank among the highest earnings of any medical technician in these fields. This is mainly due to the technical side of the job. One of the main factors affecting and influencing is educational background. The more education one acquires, the more experience leads to higher incomes. Other factors are the specialty a person chooses, such as B. heart ultrasound or vascular ultrasound.
The income of these professionals is also influenced by the demographic factor – geographical location and type of employment. Revenue is skewed on a state and region basis. Differences can also arise between rural and urban areas, as competition for jobs in the latter is much tougher than in the former. The vast majority of ultrasound technicians are women rather than men.
The average income of these specialists is estimated at around$49,230 per year, starting at $29,427 per year and going up to $66,014 per year and beyond. Bonuses awarded in this range can reach as high as $2,048, ultimately resulting in a total payout that starts at $30,280 and goes up to $73,558.
When it comes to years of experience in the field, a professional with up to five years of work experience can expect to take home about $49,010 per year, while one with up to 10 years of experience can expect to earn about $58,010 -dollars a year. . An experienced ultrasound technician with up to 20 years in the field can expect to make about $68,010 per year, while a veteran in the field with a lot of experience will take home about $70,010 per year. As you can see, this factor has a moderate impact on income, but still contributes to economic fluctuations in wages.
Salary for sonogram technicians in Canada, Australia and the UK
- Australia— The average annual salary for an ultrasound technician would be AU$60,848 to AU$133,920, with an average annual bonus of AU$19,392
- You have- The average annual salary for an ultrasound technician would be $42,663 to $88,259 with an average annual bonus of $4,966
- Great Britain– The average annual salary of an ultrasound technician would be based on their age group. In their 20s it would be £28,820, in their 30s it would be £37,658 and in their 40s and 50s it would be £44,575.
Career as an Ultrasound Technician
What is a sonogram technician?
The wordsonographyis the "science of using sound waves to create digital images of the inside of the body". A sonographer is a medical worker who uses ultrasound equipment to diagnose diseases and tests. Many in or associated with the healthcare industry refer to sonographers/sonographers as the "unsung heroes of the medical profession." To become a sonographer/ultrasound technician, you need to have a little technical knowledge to apply sophisticated technology. You also need to be friendly to make the patient feel comfortable during the test. They are also known as medical diagnostic sonographers or ultrasound technicians.
Job Description of an Ultrasound Technician
The devices they use have high-frequency sound paths that penetrate and bounce back into the patient's body. After bouncing, the sound waves are sent to a computer screen where they are interpreted by the ultrasound technician. Once interpreted, they are presented in the form of a video or image for the doctor to view. The doctor will use these images for various reasons such as: B. to check the woman's pregnancy, to make sure the baby is growing as it should, or to see why a patient is experiencing pain in a certain area of the body. The sound waves are transmitted to the patient using a rod called a transducer.
Some of the tasks that a sonogram technician does may include:
- operate ultrasound equipment
- You are responsible for the care and maintenance of ultrasound equipment
- Be able and strong enough to move the device to get a clearer picture or video to help diagnosis.
- Talk to the patient and share information about the diagnostic test.
- Let the patient know what you are going to do and why, how to teach them how to take certain positions, so you can easily get a video or image that will provide the doctor with an accurate diagnosis
- Apply a gel to the body area to be scanned to make the sound waves clear the image.
- Capture images of the patient's internal organs, tissues, other body masses, and fluids for the doctor to examine.
- Ultrasound scans for pregnant women to see if she is carrying more than one baby, to see if there are any birth defects, to see how far along she is if she is not sure when her last period was.
- Analyzing the ultrasound films and creating a report expressing your opinion that can help diagnose any possible disease or abnormality.
- Capture medical histories and maintain health records related to your exams
- Helping doctors with tests and sometimes giving their opinions on future tests
- Interpret computer-generated data and transmit it to the attending physician
- Perform administrative tasks such as B. Taking inventory of supplies needed to perform your job properly and ordering medical supplies and equipment
Although primarily associated with pregnancy, they can also specialize in specific areas of the body such as the breast, musculoskeletal, abdominal, or neurological system. Ultrasound technicians occasionally have to move patients and are on their feet for many hours during the day. They may have to make many trips back and forth to the waiting room to take their patients to the ultrasound, so a sonographer/sonographer must be in good physical condition and not mind standing most of the time. They also need to make sure they can lift patients or help them onto the table for the ultrasound.
They must also have strong oral and written communication skills as they will be dealing not only with patients but also with other medical and administrative staff. Because they deal with many patients during their shift, they need to be organized to keep accurate records and be able to multitask when needed. A sonogram technician must have a working knowledge of medical terminology and concepts.
How to become an ultrasound technician
To become an ultrasound technician, you must complete your education to earn an associate's or bachelor's degree. It only takes 2 years to earn your associate degree, so this is the program most will choose. Obtaining your bachelor's degree takes 4 years. The associate degree you must earn is aAssociate of Applied Sciences in Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound. Across the country, ultrasound technician programs are accredited by theCommission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
The program prepares the student to create the images used to diagnose diseases, injuries, and various other medical conditions. You will also learn how to operate the ultrasound machines and interpret the resulting ultrasound images. You must also study physiology and anatomy, ultrasound physics, patient care, pathophysiology, ultrasound equipment, and medical terminology. In this program you will also get to know special recordings, such as those made of pregnant women, the stomach and the heart. The student will complete many clinical practices to gain hands-on practice in addition to learning in the lab. During the clinic, students will conduct and observe ultrasound scans that are performed on real patients and that can be performed in hospitals, private doctor's offices, and clinics. During these clinics, they work alongside experienced doctors or ultrasound technicians.
In addition to the associate's and bachelor's degrees, there are also some certificate and diploma programs only available to those already working in the field of imaging.
- diploma program- usually lasts 3 semesters. To enter the diploma program, you must complete a two-year health sciences program and possibly complete a specified number of hours at a medical ultrasound facility, as well as demonstrate proficiency in algebra and biology. At the end of 3 semesters when they graduate and receive their diploma or show they know the process of ultrasound examinations, which take an image, process it and interpret it.
- certification program— Prerequisites for entry into this program are the same as for a diploma program, but these students must have additional clinical experience in diagnostic imaging or clinical experience in patient care. The curriculum consists of practical and theoretical skills and you will learn all about medical ultrasound. The curriculum includes clinical training with didactic studies, ie different areas of ultrasound and ultrasound specialties at different medical centers. This program lasts 12 months.
To earn a degree, diploma, or certificate, a student may be required to have a criminal background check, drug screening, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.
While you don't need a license or certification to practice as an ultrasound technician, you can apply for voluntary certification through a professional organization such asAmerican Registry of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound(ARDMS). After passing the exam, the student receives the certificateRegistered Medical Diagnostic Sonographer(RDMS). If the student has focused on a specialty area of ultrasound, they can become certified in that area as well. An example is vascular and breast certificationAmerican Register of Radiology TechnologistsIt would be the professional organization that would conduct this exam in order to be certified. To maintain their certification, they must complete continuing education courses.
work environment and working hours
Most ultrasound technicians work alongside obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYN). About 60% of ultrasound technicians work in hospitals, the other 40% in diagnostic facilities, outpatient clinics or doctor's offices. In most of their working environments, they work in a large suite with dim lighting. Because most ultrasounds are scheduled, ultrasound technicians work Monday through Friday in shifts of 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some who work in hospitals, particularly in the emergency room, may work day, afternoon, or night, or even on call. You can even work on weekends.
Advantages and disadvantages of a sonographer
This career choice, like any other, has its advantages and it is a very dynamic profession. At times you may find that the job has a unique approach and that it is not a job without daily challenges. Before you embark on this path, take a look at the pros and cons that come with this job. As a sonographer, you work a lot with specialized equipment that helps you visualize the internal anatomy of a patient's body.
Your work in this area is complex and with the amount of tasks you have to do, you never get bored. In this type of work, rigor and attention are some fundamental elements that will help you in this career.
The pros at this jobAlso start with the salary of one of these professionals. A sonographer can do relatively well compared to other fields. The median salary for a sonographer can be as high as $61,984 per year, while the median average annual salary has been set at between $52,573 and $73,686 per year.
The job overview is really good, the number of demanding people is increasing and the number of aging population is doubling; People will always need these professionals. The level of education that must be completed by any of these professionals can be based on the requirements of each state. On average, those who work as sonographers already have an associate's or bachelor's degree in diagnostic medical sonography.
In order to run your job smoothly, you must be passionate about science and courses that include anatomy, physiology, and other disciplines. The downside of this job is that you need to be physically fit as there is a lot of pushing and pulling, even bending over. Another disadvantage will be the fact that you will spend most of the day on your feet. You will also have to work overtime, weekends and even nights, especially if you work in a facility like a hospital.
You must take all necessary safety measures and be aware of the possible risks that can arise from contact with the blood and body fluids of patients.
Job growth for ultrasound technicians
Over the next five to 10 years, ultrasound technician jobs are projected to grow at a rate of 46%, according to the BLS, also known as the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This percentage growth rate is higher than the average for all occupations. This is mainly due to the number of requests and the nature of the work, since ultrasound is seen and considered irreplaceable by other imaging methods.
There are many vacancies and jobs across the country. The good news is that the medical field continues to value less invasive diagnostic techniques, increasing the demand for ultrasound technicians. These specialists find work in a variety of work settings such as diagnostic imaging facilities, hospitals, physician offices, and other medical fields. There are many employment opportunities with many cases that need the help of these professionals. Ultrasound technicians play an important role in the medical field, especially when it comes to imaging techniques that are invaluable in defining the right course of treatment or diagnosing a patient.
Conclusion on the salary of an ultrasound technician
After looking at the 2 to 4 year associate's or bachelor's degree education, including clinical practice and courses, you would think that the starting salary of the ultrasound technician would be higher than an average annual salary just under25.000 $. If you like this type of work, like working with computers, like finding out what's wrong with a person so your doctor can figure out what's wrong, then this would be the ideal medical field for you despite the low average annual salary. You need to filter out the benefits package, which can add several thousand dollars to the initial base salary.
While the average starting year salary is low and you could make some money in a factory or as a manager in a fast food restaurant, none of these jobs require an education so you can get any of these jobs once you have worked 1 year you can add approximately $6,000 to starting base salary.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, it predicts that the employment rate of an ultrasound technician will increase by 18% between 2008 and 2018. This growth rate is faster than the average for all other professions in the medical field. One reason is that now everyone realizes that using imaging or ultrasound machines is relatively safe, so more and more people are using this technology to find out what diseases they might have that are making them feel so bad.
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- Date of first publication: December 13, 2014
- Date of last update: 3. November 2016