Health Technologists and Technicians

How to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Official title: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Also called: Cardiovascular Sonographer, Echo Tech (Echocardiographic Technician), Echosonographer Technologist (Echo Technologist), Medical Sonographer, RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer), Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer, RVT (Registered Vascular Technologist), Staff Sonographer, Ultrasound Technician (Ultrasound Tech), Ultrasound Technologist (Ultrasound Tech)

Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.

Main tasks

Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.
Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.
Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.

How to become one

Diagnostic medical sonographers typically need at least an associate's degree or a postsecondary certificate. Some workers need a license or certification.

Typical education to start: Associate's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Nof).
Certificate or associate's degree: Associate's degree. Programs such as Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician
Licence: A licence is required in 6 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $96,590 a year The middle half earn $80,430 to $106,930.
About 92,200 people work in this job now, and about 105,100 are projected by 2035. (+13.9%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?

Diagnostic medical sonographers typically need at least an associate's degree or a postsecondary certificate. Some workers need a license or certification.

How much does a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $96,590 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $80,430 to $106,930.

Is a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 14% by 2035, from about 92,200 to about 105,100 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?

Not always. 49% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Associate's degree; Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Nof).

Will AI change the work of a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.