Schools Offering Ultrasound Technician Degrees

Career Specializations

• Obstetric & Gynecologic Sonographers: These are perhaps the most well-known type of sonographer. They use ultrasounds to generate images of the female reproductive system, including a developing fetus.
• Abdominal Sonographer: These ultrasound techs use sonograms to create images of a patient's internal organs.
• Neurosonographers: Neurosonographers create images of the brain; they are commonly used to help diagnose neural development problems in premature infants.
• Breast Sonographers: Along with mammograms, breast sonograms are used to help diagnose breast cancer and to assist in other breast-related illnesses.

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Degree Levels Available for Sonographer/Ultrasound Techs

• Certificate: 1 year to complete
• Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete

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Education & Certification Requirements

The most common way to launch a career in sonography is to complete an associate degree program. These degrees are offered by community colleges, technical schools, and allied health organizations. They include course work in medical science, anatomy, physiology, and physics, as well as clinical techniques for selecting beam strength and direction and properly situating patients. Bachelor's programs in sonography and medical technology are also solid preparation for this career. These longer degrees commonly train students in other diagnostic tools as well, such as radiography and mammography. Students in these longer programs also have the opportunity to take a greater variety of general liberal arts courses. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs is the most important accrediting body for these two and four year programs in sonography.

A few schools also offer one year certificate programs in sonography. These are most useful for current professionals in the healthcare world, who would like to increase their diagnostic skill set by learning proper sonographic techniques.

There are no mandatory certification exams or licenses that sonographers are legally required to complete in order to be hired. However, ultrasound technicians with one of the recognized voluntary credentials will certainly have better job opportunities. These certifications are offered by professional organizations, after applicants have completed the requisite academic preparation and passed the organization's exam. The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer credential in several specialized areas; the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists also offers a credential, as does Cardiovascular Credentialing International. (BLS)

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Salary Information

As a group, ultrasound technicians command a very high salary, considering the academic requirements of the profession. Those with a two- or four-year degree just entering the field can expect offers of $53,000 a year; ultrasound techs with professional experience can expect to earn $62,000 to $74,000 a year. General hospitals, physician offices, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and outpatient care centers employ the largest numbers of sonographers. Massachusetts, Oregon, and Colorado are the states with the highest average wage for ultrasound techs, at an average of $78,000 to $80,000 a year. (BLS)

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Job Outlook

Along with being a highly-paid career, sonography is also expected to be a fast growing occupation in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistic predicts an 18 percent increase in jobs in this field by 2018, versus the 7-10 percent average for all U.S. occupations. This increase in jobs will be spurred by the overall growth in the healthcare industry; as the population ages, more and more patients will be in need of diagnostic imaging.

While hospitals will still be the largest employer of ultrasound techs, new employment opportunities will be available in outpatient care facilities. As technology advances, physician offices and diagnostic labs will be able to perform procedures that were once considered too complicated for an outpatient facility.

Job opportunities should be good for sonographers with an accredited degree, who have recognized professional credentials. Job prospects will vary by region and population growth, and ultrasound techs who are willing to relocate for a job will have more opportunities. (BLS)

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Related Careers

X-ray technicians, like sonographers, also perform diagnostic imaging tests on patients. Instead of using sound waves to create the images, they use X-rays. These healthcare professionals must also be familiar with basic medical science and physics, as well as the correct way to position a patient to generate a reliable image.

Nurses are another key healthcare professional involved in the diagnosis and treatment of illness. They command a similarly high salary to ultrasound techs, and also must complete a two- or four-year degree in order to begin their career. Unlike sonographers, nurses are required to earn a state-issued license, before they can be hired.

Those interested more in the scientific side of disease diagnosis might enjoy a career as a laboratory technician. These professionals help diagnose disease by performing analytic tests and preparing specimens. Like ultrasound technicians, lab techs are also employed in hospitals, physician offices, and medical and diagnostic labs.

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