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The differences between cardiac sonographers and x-ray technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a cardiac sonographer and an x-ray technician. Additionally, a cardiac sonographer has an average salary of $79,641, which is higher than the $51,642 average annual salary of an x-ray technician.
The top three skills for a cardiac sonographer include patients, registry and RDCS. The most important skills for an x-ray technician are patients, ARRT, and radiologic technologist.
| Cardiac Sonographer | X-Ray Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $79,641 | $51,642 |
| Hourly rate | $38.29 | $24.83 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 10,472 | 60,780 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 55% | Associate Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A cardiac sonographer specializes in operating imaging technologies to help physicians assess and determine the cardiac conditions of patients. Aside from coordinating with physicians, a cardiac sonographer also interacts with patients, providing them assistance throughout the process, and discussing the extent of procedures. Typically, a cardiac sonographer's responsibilities revolve around coordinating with hospital staff to gather patient information, sharing test results to physicians promptly, and even managing the scheduling of patients, all in adherence to the hospital's policies and regulations.
The job of X-ray technicians, or X-ray technologists, is to detect medical issues that may need urgent medical treatment using cutting-edge imaging methods. The pictures they generate aid physicians in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses with better accuracy. They use a wide range of imaging technologies such as the traditional X-ray machines, computerized axial tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. X-ray technicians may also perform some office work that includes preparing work schedules, managing radiologic departments, and setting up physicians' stations.
Cardiac sonographers and x-ray technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cardiac Sonographer | X-Ray Technician | |
| Average salary | $79,641 | $51,642 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $116,000 | Between $32,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Fresno, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Washington Hospital Healthcare System | Stability Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a cardiac sonographer and an x-ray technician in terms of educational background:
| Cardiac Sonographer | X-Ray Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 55% | Associate Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Duke University | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between cardiac sonographers' and x-ray technicians' demographics:
| Cardiac Sonographer | X-Ray Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.8% Female, 69.2% | Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 10% |