Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary
When reading about salary data, keep in mind that statistical reports of an average sonographer salary in the United States does not factor in experience, education, the state or metropolitan region, employer type, or certification credentials (or lack of them) of job candidates. Diagnostic medical sonographers who are certified in two or more specialties or who have credentials in more than one allied health field will have the best opportunities for advancement and employment at the top of the pay range.
How much does a sonographer make?
To get a feel for the kind of income you can expect as a sonographer, here are some basic salary figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics based on 2008 data:
- The median annual wage is about $62,000.
- Half of all sonographers earned annual wages between $52,500 and $73,700.
- The bottom 10% were paid less than $43,600.
- The top 10% were paid more than $84,000.
- There was less than a 1% difference in the median annual wages of sonographers who worked in physicians' offices versus hospitals. The median wage for both groups was the same as the industry median of $62,000.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program is the best source for diagnostic medical sonographer salary data, broken down by state, metropolitan regions and industry.
Highest sonographer salaries by state
Massachusetts and Oregon lead the U.S. with average annual wages of about $78,000. Colorado and Washington average about $77,000 per year, and Alaska averages $75,500.
Highest sonographer salaries by metropolitan region
California holds three places in the top five metro regions: Santa Cruz ($97,500), San Jose (about $93,000) and Santa Rosa ($83,000). Worchester, Massachusetts averages $90,000 and Bolder, Colorado averages about $84,000.
Sonographer salary ranges by type of employer
Colleges and universities are the best paying employers with an annual average of $66,000, but they employ only about 1% of all sonographers, the lowest number of all industries reported. General private and public hospitals employ about 60% of all sonographers, with doctors' offices employing about 26% of the workforce, each paying over $63,000 in average annual wages per position. Outpatient care centers have a little over 2% of the jobs and pay annual wages averaging around $64,500. Diagnostic labs employ about 9% of the workforce, and pay the lowest at about $62,000 per year.
