Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Career Cluster
Health Science
Focuses on therapy, diagnostics, support services, and heath information. In this field, you will plan, manage, research and provide health services. For this field, students needs skills such as problem-solving and decision-making
Learn more about this clusterAt a glance
Expected pay range
Expected pay range
This represents the median earnings for this career in the selected county or state. In the range shown, 25% of workers earned less than the bottom salary and 25% earned more than the top salary. Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Monthly cost of living
These numbers give you an idea of how much you can spend each month on common expenses with this salary. Percentages are the average a person with no children spends according to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (external link opens new tab) These numbers are a starting point and will differ person to person.
Your actual expenses may differ from those listed. You’ll need to account for the amount taken out in taxes each month. Learn more about income tax expenses. (external link opens new tab) Your student loan payments may also differ. To calculate your student loan payments, use the federal student loan repayment estimator. (external link opens new tab)
About diagnostic medical sonographers
What they do
Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.
Other titles
Cardiac Sonographer, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Medical Sonographer, Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), Sonographer, Staff Sonographer, Ultrasonographer, Ultrasound Technician (Ultrasound Tech), Ultrasound Technologist (Ultrasound Tech)
Skills they need
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Licenses and Certifications they may hold
How to decide which one is right? That depends on an individual’s career path, specialty, and resources.
Certifications
Certifications may be available for this career and can help build knowledge and skills in specific job roles. Explore available certifications (external link opens new tab)
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- Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals (external link opens new tab)
- American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (external link opens new tab)
- American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (external link opens new tab)
- American Society of Echocardiography (external link opens new tab)
- American Society of Radiologic Technologists (external link opens new tab)
- Cardiovascular Credentialing International (external link opens new tab)
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (external link opens new tab)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists (external link opens new tab)
- Society for Vascular Ultrasound (external link opens new tab)
- Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (external link opens new tab)