What Is an Ultrasound Technician?

Ultrasound technicians, also known as sonographers, use sound wave tools for medical imaging, such as echocardiograms, images of developing fetuses, and breast examinations. They play a vital role in the growing medical diagnostics field. Keep reading to learn about what ultrasound technicians do and how to pursue employment in the field.

Ultrasound technicians use specialized medical equipment to create images of the inside of patients’ bodies. The equipment sends sound waves through the body and forms a picture to aid in testing for or diagnosing conditions.

It is also part of routine care during pregnancy and cancer prevention to detect any potential issues early on. While they do not diagnose conditions or prescribe treatments, ultrasound technicians review images for potential abnormalities and report them to clinicians. They may also provide imaging during surgeries or other complex medical procedures.

Most ultrasound technicians work in hospitals, physician’s offices, and diagnostic and medical laboratories such as urgent care.

There are several pathways to becoming an ultrasound technician. Candidates can earn two-year or four-year degrees in sonography. Alternatively, an individual with a healthcare degree can take a sonography certificate course. During their studies, each enrollee chooses a specialty, such as abdomen, breast, or pediatric sonography.

Only four states — New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon — require sonographers to hold licensure, but most employers require certification in sonography. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists offers a general sonography certification, and the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ADRMS) offers several different ultrasound technician specializations.

ADRMS certification requires passing first a general examination and the applicable specialty examination, along with completing a certain number of hours practicing in a specialty.

Learn more about how to become an ultrasound technician.

Ultrasound technician salaries vary by experience, education, certification, and geography, but nationally, the median salary for ultrasound technicians is $77,740, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The lowest-paid 10% earn $59,640 or less, and the highest-paid 10% earn $101,650 or more. Salaries are highest in California, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Washington state, and Oregon. The BLS also projects a 14% growth in ultrasound technician employment from 2020-2030, which is above the national average.

It takes approximately two years to earn an associate degree in sonography to become an ultrasound technician. If you already have a degree in a related healthcare field, you may be able to take a one-year certificate course.

For most purposes, there is no difference between ultrasound technicians and sonographers. Diagnostic medical sonography, though, is a specialization that focuses on using sonography for diagnoses.

Ultrasound technicians are not authorized to diagnose conditions or report findings to patients. However, they are educated to recognize potential indicators and share their interpretations with clinicians.

Stress levels depend on the setting and your ability to handle difficult situations. Ultrasound technician work can be physically demanding, especially if you move or lift patients into position. It also calls for close attention to detail. The high-stakes nature of emergency department ultrasound work can create stressful scenarios.