While x-ray technology uses radiation, ultrasound technology uses sound waves.
Sonography technicians, or diagnostic medical sonographers, are responsible for producing images with ultrasound technology. The sonography technician must know operate the equipment properly so he can produce a clear picture for the physician to diagnose. A sonography technician's salary depends on factors such as his level of experience, his certification and his location.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2009, the average annual salary for a sonography technician was $63,640 and the median annual salary was $63,010. As of 2011, the median annual salary range for a sonography technician is between $46,535 and $67,973, PayScale reports.
Salary By Experience
Nine percent of sonography technicians have less than one year of experience. Those who have less than one year of experience earn between $35,608 and $50,694 per year as of 2011. Forty-five percent of sonography technicians have one to four years of experience. That 45 percent earns between $39,265 and $59,488 annually. Nineteen percent of sonography technicians have five to nine years of experience and those technicians earn between $45,914 and $61,086 annually. Seventeen percent of sonography technicians have 10 to 19 years of experience and those technicians earn between $54,949 and $73,320 annually. Nine percent of sonography technicians have more than 20 years of experience and those technicians earn between $60,735 and $82,858 each year.
Salary By Certification
If a sonography technician is a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), her salary range is between $45,767 and $71,790 annually as of 2011. If she is a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT), her salary range is between $55,000 and $79,421 annually. Those sonography technicians who are ARRT Registered Technologist in Radiography earn between $44,678 and $63,465 annually. Those who are Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers (RDCS) earn between $42,500 and $83,500 annually. Those sonography technicians who are Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (RDMS) earn between $45,781 and $68,047 each year, PayScale reports.
Salary By Location
In 2009, Florida and Alabama were lower paying states for sonography technicians. If a sonography technician worked in Florida, he earned $56,030 per year, and if he worked in Alabama, he earned $50,320 per year. In 2009, Massachusetts and Oregon were the two highest-paying states for sonography technicians. Sonography technicians who worked in Massachusetts earned $78,460 per year and those who worked in Oregon earned $78,320 annually. Colorado, Washington and Alaska are also high-paying states for sonography technicians, reports the BLS.
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