Medical Sonographer Research Paper
Ultrasound technicians, or sonographers, generate diagnostic images for physicians through the use of high-pitched sound waves. These ultrasonic frequencies are affected by the density of the tissues they 're travelling through, and computer processors inside the ultrasound unit interpret the echoes to create a visual image of the tissues. Sonography is one of the highest-paid professions open to those without a bachelor 's degree.
In its May 2011 Occupational Employment Statistics, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a median income of $31.25 per hour, or $65,210 per year, for diagnostic medical sonographers. A median is the point at which half earn more and half earn less. The 25th percentile of sonographers earned up to $25.88 per …show more content…
hour, or $53,830 per year, and the 75th percentile earned over $36.57 per hour, or $76,060 per year.
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
The American Society of Radiologic Technologists performs a periodic salary survey of registered technologists, both members and non-members. In its 2010 survey, the average yearly income of sonographers was $68,821 or $33.09 per hour. The ASRT provides a further breakdown by position, with staff sonographers earning $31.85 per hour, and supervisors averaging $38.29 per hour. Experience is also a factor. Sonographers with two years ' experience or less averaged $26.89 per hour, while those with six to 10 years ' experience earned $29.73 per hour. Veteran sonographers with 21 to 30 years ' experience averaged $34.83 per hour.
Geography
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides state-by-state wage figures for sonographers across the country. California boasts the country 's highest average wages at $39.30 per hour, or $81,750 per year. Oregon, Massachusetts, Colorado and Connecticut rounded out the list of highest-paying states. Alabama 's average wage is the lowest, at $24 per hour, with West Virginia, South Dakota, Mississippi and Tennessee also paying below-average rates.
Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that demand for sonographers will grow sharply between 2010 and 2020. It anticipates that 44 percent more technologists will be needed to fill the expected number new positions. This is much higher than the average for all occupations. Many diagnostic procedures that were traditionally performed in hospitals are now done in smaller clinics and even doctors ' offices, which accounts for much of this increase. The modest educational requirements, strong demand and relatively high pay make sonography an attractive career option. Some of the most appealing careers in health care can be found in diagnostic imaging. Radiographers, CT and MRI techs, and mammographers all earn very good wages, and spend their days in a clean, well-lit work environment. This is also true for ultrasound technicians, or sonographers. They enjoy a noteworthy combination of high pay and strong job prospects, and their training is relatively brief.
Sponsored Link
Ultrasound Tech Schools
Locate a School Near You! Must be HS Grad or Equivalent. www.UltrasoundTechnicianSchools.net Two-Year or Four-Year Degrees
Most sonographers enter the field through an accredited two-year educational program at a college, community college or training hospital. These provide a grounding in the basic sciences, as well as course work focusing on human anatomy and physiology, and the interpretation of ultrasound images. Most programs incorporate hands-on clinical experience working with patients, either as part of the core curriculum or by placement in a hospital or clinic. Some colleges offer a four-year bachelor 's degree program in sonography. For ambitious sonographers, a bachelor 's degree can speed promotion into management or supervisory roles.
One-Year Certificate Programs
Another route into sonography is open to medical professionals working in other disciplines. This includes radiographers, CT and MRI technologists, registered nurses and physician assistants. These working professionals have already completed similar training programs and need to learn only the portion of the course work that pertains specifically to ultrasound. This is condensed into an accredited one-year certificate program, consisting of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training. Employers often provide assistance in the form of flexible scheduling or tuition reimbursement for staff in a certificate program.
Certification
Certification isn 't mandatory for ultrasound techs, but it can have a positive effect on employment prospects and salary. Graduates from an accredited sonography program can write a certification exam through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, both of which test the candidate 's theoretical and practical understanding of ultrasound technology. Aside from basic certification, sonographers can also choose to be credentialed in specialized areas of practice, such as fetal echocardiography, abdominal sonography or vascular technology, by passing the corresponding examinations.
Income and Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an average income of $65,800 per year for sonographers, as of May 2011. The lowest-earning 25 percent reported incomes of up to $58,830 per year, while the highest-earning 25 percent earned $76,060 a year or more. A 2010 salary survey by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists returned similar numbers, showing an average salary of $68,821 per year. The BLS projects a 44 percent increase in demand for sonographers between 2010 and 2020, much higher than the average for all occupations.
Sponsored Links
Ultrasound technician school
Ultrasound technicians, more correctly known as sonographers or ultrasound technologists, are one of the fastest-growing professions in the health care system. Sonography provides lower-resolution images than rival technologies such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and depends heavily on the individual technologist 's skill to produce good-quality results. This skill is earned through a combination of training, education and experience, and sonographers are correspondingly well paid.
Sponsored Link
Ultrasound technician school
Accredited Online Education Computer Available for Studies www.CenturaCollege.edu Salaries
In its May 2011 figures, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an average wage of $65,800 per year for medical sonographers.
The overall pay scale was broad, though wages were generous even at the lowest levels. The lowest-earning 10 percent of sonographers were paid $44,950 or less, with the median at $65,210 per year and the top 10 percent earning $90,640 or more. The American Society of Radiologic Technologists reported similar numbers in its 2010 salary survey, finding an average salary of $68,821 and a median of $66,593 per year among respondents.
Sonography Training
There are two main paths to qualification as a sonographer. One is a two-year associate degree program through a community college, vocational school, hospital or other facility. The first year of the program consists primarily of classwork, including basic science and communications courses, the theory of ultrasound technology, human anatomy, medical terminology and related subjects. The second year is spent primarily in clinical settings, gaining hands-on experience. The second path is a streamlined one-year certificate program, for professionals with degrees in a related field. Graduates are eligible for certification through bodies such as the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical
Sonographers.
Advancement
Sonographers receive steady increases in pay as they gain in experience. The ASRT survey reported an average wage of $55,921 for sonographers with two years ' experience or less, while those with 21 to 30 years ' experience averaged $72,447 per year. Advancement within the department also brings increased pay in its wake. Staff-level sonographers averaged $66,247 per year, while senior technologists earned $72,010 and supervisors reported earnings of $79,640 per year. Technologists who wish to move into management can begin their careers with a bachelor 's degree, rather than an associate degree, or add a degree in management or health care administration.
Outlook
In its May 2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the health care industry will account for 28 percent of all new jobs in the United States between 2010 and 2020. Even by the standards of the health care field, sonographers can expect excellent employment prospects, with a projected 44 percent growth in demand over that decade. This is more than three times the national average for all occupations. Ultrasound technology has spread from hospitals to smaller settings such as outpatient clinics and physicians ' offices, creating a need for large numbers of new sonographers to operate the machines.
Sponsored Links
Ultrasound Tech Schools
Find Ultrasound Tech Schools Near You. Get Matched & Request Info!
CollegeSurfing.com/Ultrasound_Tech
Ultrasound technicians, more correctly known as sonographers or ultrasound technologists, are one of the fastest-growing professions in the health care system. Sonography provides lower-resolution images than rival technologies such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and depends heavily on the individual technologist 's skill to produce good-quality results. This skill is earned through a combination of training, education and experience, and sonographers are correspondingly well paid.
Sponsored Link
Ultrasound technician school
Accredited Online Education Computer Available for Studies www.CenturaCollege.edu Salaries
In its May 2011 figures, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an average wage of $65,800 per year for medical sonographers. The overall pay scale was broad, though wages were generous even at the lowest levels. The lowest-earning 10 percent of sonographers were paid $44,950 or less, with the median at $65,210 per year and the top 10 percent earning $90,640 or more. The American Society of Radiologic Technologists reported similar numbers in its 2010 salary survey, finding an average salary of $68,821 and a median of $66,593 per year among respondents.
Sonography Training
There are two main paths to qualification as a sonographer. One is a two-year associate degree program through a community college, vocational school, hospital or other facility. The first year of the program consists primarily of classwork, including basic science and communications courses, the theory of ultrasound technology, human anatomy, medical terminology and related subjects. The second year is spent primarily in clinical settings, gaining hands-on experience. The second path is a streamlined one-year certificate program, for professionals with degrees in a related field. Graduates are eligible for certification through bodies such as the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
Advancement
Sonographers receive steady increases in pay as they gain in experience. The ASRT survey reported an average wage of $55,921 for sonographers with two years ' experience or less, while those with 21 to 30 years ' experience averaged $72,447 per year. Advancement within the department also brings increased pay in its wake. Staff-level sonographers averaged $66,247 per year, while senior technologists earned $72,010 and supervisors reported earnings of $79,640 per year. Technologists who wish to move into management can begin their careers with a bachelor 's degree, rather than an associate degree, or add a degree in management or health care administration.
Outlook
In its May 2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the health care industry will account for 28 percent of all new jobs in the United States between 2010 and 2020. Even by the standards of the health care field, sonographers can expect excellent employment prospects, with a projected 44 percent growth in demand over that decade. This is more than three times the national average for all occupations. Ultrasound technology has spread from hospitals to smaller settings such as outpatient clinics and physicians ' offices, creating a need for large numbers of new sonographers to operate the machines.
Sponsored Links
Ultrasound Tech Schools
Find Ultrasound Tech Schools Near You. Get Matched & Request Info!
CollegeSurfing.com/Ultrasound_Tech
In its May 2011 Occupational Employment Statistics, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a median income of $31.25 per hour, or $65,210 per year, for diagnostic medical sonographers. A median is the point at which half earn more and half earn less. The 25th percentile of sonographers earned up to $25.88 per …show more content…
hour, or $53,830 per year, and the 75th percentile earned over $36.57 per hour, or $76,060 per year.
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
The American Society of Radiologic Technologists performs a periodic salary survey of registered technologists, both members and non-members. In its 2010 survey, the average yearly income of sonographers was $68,821 or $33.09 per hour. The ASRT provides a further breakdown by position, with staff sonographers earning $31.85 per hour, and supervisors averaging $38.29 per hour. Experience is also a factor. Sonographers with two years ' experience or less averaged $26.89 per hour, while those with six to 10 years ' experience earned $29.73 per hour. Veteran sonographers with 21 to 30 years ' experience averaged $34.83 per hour.
Geography
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides state-by-state wage figures for sonographers across the country. California boasts the country 's highest average wages at $39.30 per hour, or $81,750 per year. Oregon, Massachusetts, Colorado and Connecticut rounded out the list of highest-paying states. Alabama 's average wage is the lowest, at $24 per hour, with West Virginia, South Dakota, Mississippi and Tennessee also paying below-average rates.
Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that demand for sonographers will grow sharply between 2010 and 2020. It anticipates that 44 percent more technologists will be needed to fill the expected number new positions. This is much higher than the average for all occupations. Many diagnostic procedures that were traditionally performed in hospitals are now done in smaller clinics and even doctors ' offices, which accounts for much of this increase. The modest educational requirements, strong demand and relatively high pay make sonography an attractive career option. Some of the most appealing careers in health care can be found in diagnostic imaging. Radiographers, CT and MRI techs, and mammographers all earn very good wages, and spend their days in a clean, well-lit work environment. This is also true for ultrasound technicians, or sonographers. They enjoy a noteworthy combination of high pay and strong job prospects, and their training is relatively brief.
Sponsored Link
Ultrasound Tech Schools
Locate a School Near You! Must be HS Grad or Equivalent. www.UltrasoundTechnicianSchools.net Two-Year or Four-Year Degrees
Most sonographers enter the field through an accredited two-year educational program at a college, community college or training hospital. These provide a grounding in the basic sciences, as well as course work focusing on human anatomy and physiology, and the interpretation of ultrasound images. Most programs incorporate hands-on clinical experience working with patients, either as part of the core curriculum or by placement in a hospital or clinic. Some colleges offer a four-year bachelor 's degree program in sonography. For ambitious sonographers, a bachelor 's degree can speed promotion into management or supervisory roles.
One-Year Certificate Programs
Another route into sonography is open to medical professionals working in other disciplines. This includes radiographers, CT and MRI technologists, registered nurses and physician assistants. These working professionals have already completed similar training programs and need to learn only the portion of the course work that pertains specifically to ultrasound. This is condensed into an accredited one-year certificate program, consisting of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training. Employers often provide assistance in the form of flexible scheduling or tuition reimbursement for staff in a certificate program.
Certification
Certification isn 't mandatory for ultrasound techs, but it can have a positive effect on employment prospects and salary. Graduates from an accredited sonography program can write a certification exam through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, both of which test the candidate 's theoretical and practical understanding of ultrasound technology. Aside from basic certification, sonographers can also choose to be credentialed in specialized areas of practice, such as fetal echocardiography, abdominal sonography or vascular technology, by passing the corresponding examinations.
Income and Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an average income of $65,800 per year for sonographers, as of May 2011. The lowest-earning 25 percent reported incomes of up to $58,830 per year, while the highest-earning 25 percent earned $76,060 a year or more. A 2010 salary survey by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists returned similar numbers, showing an average salary of $68,821 per year. The BLS projects a 44 percent increase in demand for sonographers between 2010 and 2020, much higher than the average for all occupations.
Sponsored Links
Ultrasound technician school
Ultrasound technicians, more correctly known as sonographers or ultrasound technologists, are one of the fastest-growing professions in the health care system. Sonography provides lower-resolution images than rival technologies such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and depends heavily on the individual technologist 's skill to produce good-quality results. This skill is earned through a combination of training, education and experience, and sonographers are correspondingly well paid.
Sponsored Link
Ultrasound technician school
Accredited Online Education Computer Available for Studies www.CenturaCollege.edu Salaries
In its May 2011 figures, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an average wage of $65,800 per year for medical sonographers.
The overall pay scale was broad, though wages were generous even at the lowest levels. The lowest-earning 10 percent of sonographers were paid $44,950 or less, with the median at $65,210 per year and the top 10 percent earning $90,640 or more. The American Society of Radiologic Technologists reported similar numbers in its 2010 salary survey, finding an average salary of $68,821 and a median of $66,593 per year among respondents.
Sonography Training
There are two main paths to qualification as a sonographer. One is a two-year associate degree program through a community college, vocational school, hospital or other facility. The first year of the program consists primarily of classwork, including basic science and communications courses, the theory of ultrasound technology, human anatomy, medical terminology and related subjects. The second year is spent primarily in clinical settings, gaining hands-on experience. The second path is a streamlined one-year certificate program, for professionals with degrees in a related field. Graduates are eligible for certification through bodies such as the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical
Sonographers.
Advancement
Sonographers receive steady increases in pay as they gain in experience. The ASRT survey reported an average wage of $55,921 for sonographers with two years ' experience or less, while those with 21 to 30 years ' experience averaged $72,447 per year. Advancement within the department also brings increased pay in its wake. Staff-level sonographers averaged $66,247 per year, while senior technologists earned $72,010 and supervisors reported earnings of $79,640 per year. Technologists who wish to move into management can begin their careers with a bachelor 's degree, rather than an associate degree, or add a degree in management or health care administration.
Outlook
In its May 2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the health care industry will account for 28 percent of all new jobs in the United States between 2010 and 2020. Even by the standards of the health care field, sonographers can expect excellent employment prospects, with a projected 44 percent growth in demand over that decade. This is more than three times the national average for all occupations. Ultrasound technology has spread from hospitals to smaller settings such as outpatient clinics and physicians ' offices, creating a need for large numbers of new sonographers to operate the machines.
Sponsored Links
Ultrasound Tech Schools
Find Ultrasound Tech Schools Near You. Get Matched & Request Info!
CollegeSurfing.com/Ultrasound_Tech
Ultrasound technicians, more correctly known as sonographers or ultrasound technologists, are one of the fastest-growing professions in the health care system. Sonography provides lower-resolution images than rival technologies such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and depends heavily on the individual technologist 's skill to produce good-quality results. This skill is earned through a combination of training, education and experience, and sonographers are correspondingly well paid.
Sponsored Link
Ultrasound technician school
Accredited Online Education Computer Available for Studies www.CenturaCollege.edu Salaries
In its May 2011 figures, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an average wage of $65,800 per year for medical sonographers. The overall pay scale was broad, though wages were generous even at the lowest levels. The lowest-earning 10 percent of sonographers were paid $44,950 or less, with the median at $65,210 per year and the top 10 percent earning $90,640 or more. The American Society of Radiologic Technologists reported similar numbers in its 2010 salary survey, finding an average salary of $68,821 and a median of $66,593 per year among respondents.
Sonography Training
There are two main paths to qualification as a sonographer. One is a two-year associate degree program through a community college, vocational school, hospital or other facility. The first year of the program consists primarily of classwork, including basic science and communications courses, the theory of ultrasound technology, human anatomy, medical terminology and related subjects. The second year is spent primarily in clinical settings, gaining hands-on experience. The second path is a streamlined one-year certificate program, for professionals with degrees in a related field. Graduates are eligible for certification through bodies such as the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
Advancement
Sonographers receive steady increases in pay as they gain in experience. The ASRT survey reported an average wage of $55,921 for sonographers with two years ' experience or less, while those with 21 to 30 years ' experience averaged $72,447 per year. Advancement within the department also brings increased pay in its wake. Staff-level sonographers averaged $66,247 per year, while senior technologists earned $72,010 and supervisors reported earnings of $79,640 per year. Technologists who wish to move into management can begin their careers with a bachelor 's degree, rather than an associate degree, or add a degree in management or health care administration.
Outlook
In its May 2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the health care industry will account for 28 percent of all new jobs in the United States between 2010 and 2020. Even by the standards of the health care field, sonographers can expect excellent employment prospects, with a projected 44 percent growth in demand over that decade. This is more than three times the national average for all occupations. Ultrasound technology has spread from hospitals to smaller settings such as outpatient clinics and physicians ' offices, creating a need for large numbers of new sonographers to operate the machines.
Sponsored Links
Ultrasound Tech Schools
Find Ultrasound Tech Schools Near You. Get Matched & Request Info!
CollegeSurfing.com/Ultrasound_Tech