Ultrasound technicians, or medical sonographers, produce ultrasonic recordings of the interior of the human body for use by physicians, using devices that generate sound waves. They may train in the Armed Forces, in hospitals or through vocational schools. Those with multiple specialties and voluntary certification from national organizations can increase their job prospects and salaries. Some techs can advance by become supervisors or managers.
Work
Ultrasound technicians work a standard 40-hour week in clean and climate-controlled facilities. They must have the endurance to stand for long hours and must occasionally lift or turn patients. Their median salary is $63,010 yearly, with a range of $43,990 to $85,950. A few technicians work evenings and weekends, part-time or on-call. Their hourly rates are $30.30, with a range of $21.15 to $41.32. This information is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2009.
Experience
The PayScale Report shows that ultrasound technicians increase their salaries with experience, up to 20 years of work. For example, at one to four years, techs make $30,428 to $49,774 per year, while at one to four years, they earn $35,563 to $52,026. At five to nine years of experience, they earn $42,729 to $59,421, and at 10 to 19 years, they receive $52,954 to $75,023. Finally, at 20 years or more, salaries take a dip to a range of $46,800 to $70,000.
Employers
According to the BLS, the biggest employers of ultrasound technicians are general medical and surgical hospitals, which comprise 59 percent of the total 51,630 jobs. They pay the median salary at $63,770. The employers with the best pay are employment services, who use techs to screen job applicants for medical conditions. They pay $32.70 hourly or $68,020 annually, but only offer 240 jobs, making them a difficult business to enter.
Hospitals
For those ultrasound technicians working in hospitals, the size of the facility makes a difference in compensation, according to PayScale. Hospitals with 300 to 499 beds pay the most at $52,000 to $84,000, followed distantly by those with 500 or more beds at $42,500 to $61,500. Facilities with under 50 beds pay a respectable $39,000 to $59,322, while those with 50 to 99 beds pay less at $30,000 to $49,000.
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