Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
SOC code 29-2032 · O*NET-SOC 29-2032.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$96,590
a year
Hourly
$46.44
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$97,240
$46.75 per hour
Middle 50%
$80,430 – $106,930
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$67,820 – $129,370
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
90,160
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $67,820
- $32.60/hr
- 25th percentile
- $80,430
- $38.67/hr
- Median percentile
- $96,590
- $46.44/hr
- 75th percentile
- $106,930
- $51.41/hr
- 90th percentile
- $129,370
- $62.20/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+13%
Growing much faster than average
90,000
jobs in 2024
101,700
projected for 2034
About 11,700 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a diagnostic medical sonographer do?
Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.
- 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.
How to become a diagnostic medical sonographer
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer earn?
The national median is $96,590 a year. The full range runs from $67,820 at the 10th percentile to $129,370 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a diagnostic medical sonographer without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is diagnostic medical sonographer in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 13% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
- Writing3.3/5
- Monitoring3.3/5
Knowledge areas
- Physics4.5/5
- Medicine and Dentistry4.5/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Biology4.0/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.3/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
- Administrative2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Operation and Control, Coordination, Operations Monitoring.