Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Career, Salary and Skills
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $96,590 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 90,160. Wage data is published for 331 locations.
Occupation description
Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.
O*NET code
29-2032.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
Not recorded
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$96,590
Hourly median
$46.44
Employment
90,160
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
$67,820
10th
$80,430
25th
$96,590
Median
$106,930
75th
$129,370
90th
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Speaking | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.62 | 3.25 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.62 | 3.62 |
| Operation and Control | 3.38 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Writing | 3.25 | 3.75 |
| Coordination | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.12 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.
- Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
Technology
- Database software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Email software
- Medical procedure coding software
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Patient medical record software
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary in CAMedian $128,530 · Employment 10,110
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary in New York, NYMedian $107,250 · Employment 7,020
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary in TXMedian $92,580 · Employment 6,960
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary in NYMedian $103,920 · Employment 6,880
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary in FLMedian $82,940 · Employment 6,670
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $119,430 · Employment 3,550
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary in NJMedian $103,150 · Employment 3,370
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary in ILMedian $100,660 · Employment 3,270
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary in OHMedian $82,870 · Employment 3,160
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary in MIMedian $82,490 · Employment 3,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary in PAMedian $82,710 · Employment 2,980
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary in NCMedian $86,010 · Employment 2,970
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.