Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Jobs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 50,000 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in the United States. The typical sonographer puts in a 40-hour work week, mostly in hospital settings, with some over time available or required at times. Those who work in emergency care must be available for weekend, evening and on-call shifts.
Sonography Job Outlook
The projected job growth for diagnostic medical sonographers is stronger than average in the United States according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Employment in the profession is predicted to expand at a rate of 18% through the year 2018.
There are three main reasons for the anticipated growth:
- The aging Baby Boomer population will need more health care in general, which will include an increased need for diagnostic imaging.
- Ultrasound is safer and cheaper than X-rays or other similar diagnostic technologies which rely on using radioactive materials or expensive equipment.
- Sonographic imaging technology is evolving at a fast pace, resulting in better quality and enabling its use in areas where it was not useful before.
Where are the sonography jobs?
More than half of the diagnostic medical sonographer jobs are in public or private hospital settings. However, the fast pace of technological advances in ultrasound uses is resulting in more efficient equipment, making it more portable and less expensive. In addition, as corporate medical providers continue their drive to cut heath care costs, more diagnostic services are being performed on an outpatient basis at labs and in doctors' offices.
As a result of these factors, new jobs will be created in outpatient facilities. The use of mobile imaging equipment will also create job opportunities for sonographers who are willing to travel between clinics and to make house calls to individual patients.
Job opportunities will vary by state and by metropolitan area. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program shows that the five states with the most sonographers in their workforce are Florida (0.06%), Connecticut, New Mexico, Alabama and Rhode Island (0.05%).
The five states with the fewest in their workforce are Massachusetts (0.03%), Oregon, Colorado, Washington and Alaska (less than 0.02%). Not surprisingly, the states with the fewest sonographers also have higher annual mean wages, so professionals who are willing to relocate can improve their employment prospects.
