What is a diagnostic medical sonographer and how to become one

Q: What are the pros and cons of being a diagnostic medical sonographer?

The pros and cons of being a diagnostic sonographer are that while it can be a fulfilling and rewarding career with good pay and job growth prospects, it may also include physical demands and emotional challenges. A diagnostic medical sonographer is a healthcare professional who uses specialized equipment to produce images of internal organs, tissues, and blood flow.

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted expert

Ms. Ann Walker

A diagnostic medical sonographer uses ultrasound technology to produce images of internal organs and tissues. They work in hospitals, clinics, or private practices and use a handheld transducer to send high-frequency sound waves into the body to create images. Diagnostic medical sonographers must have knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. They work with physicians to diagnose and monitor pregnancy, heart disease, and cancer. They also maintain records and equipment, and provide education on procedures.

What general advice would you give to a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Ms. Ann Walker

Interim Program Director

Although it might not be ideal, it is imperative to work as close to full-time as possible for the first 1-2 years following graduation. Becoming skilled at sonography within the first 2 years, especially independently, is extremely difficult and often unlikely for new sonographers who take on part-time or PRN positions. It’s all about repetition and getting exposure to every patient with every level of difficulty and pathology on a consistent basis. I would never recommend a sonographer with less than 2 full-time years of experience to attempt any type of travel ultrasound. In addition, not allowing yourself to become over-confident right out of the gate is something I feel very strongly about. We may think that our clinical experience was broad enough to give us an ample foundation to feel extremely confident, but sonography is a field that is often very humbling, and it is our patients that suffer the consequences of our negligence when we rely on false confidence. I would recommend new sonographers to work in a facility that has seasoned techs who are available, even if just by phone of FaceTime, at all times for advice and input, and take every opportunity to absorb their input as you grow your scanning and critical thinking skills.

ScoreDiagnostic Medical SonographerUS Average

Salary

6.7

Avg. Salary $85,607

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.0

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.26%

Asian 8.77%

Black or African American 4.17%

Hispanic or Latino 10.39%

Unknown 4.43%

White 71.98%

Gender

female 86.64%

male 13.36%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

8.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.2

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Pros

Good salary and job security
Opportunities for advancement
Growing field with high demand for skilled professionals
Ability to specialize in specific areas of sonography
Work-life balance

Cons

Exposure to infectious diseases
Long hours on your feet
Emotionally taxing work environment at times
Potential exposure to radiation from imaging equipment
Difficulty maintaining work-life balance during peak periods

Key steps to become a diagnostic medical sonographer

Explore diagnostic medical sonographer education requirements

Most common diagnostic medical sonographer degrees

Associate

54.6 %

Bachelor's

28.0 %

Diploma

6.0 %

Start to develop specific diagnostic medical sonographer skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	18.89%
ARDMS	11.44%
Patient Care	6.99%
OB-GYN	5.83%
Abdomen	5.55%

Complete relevant diagnostic medical sonographer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New diagnostic medical sonographers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a diagnostic medical sonographer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real diagnostic medical sonographer resumes.

Gain additional diagnostic medical sonographer certifications

Diagnostic medical sonographer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific diagnostic medical sonographer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for diagnostic medical sonographers include Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Abdomen (RDMS) and Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS).

More About Certifications

Research diagnostic medical sonographer duties and responsibilities

Document studies in PACS and manage exams electronically.
Register by ARDMS in abdomen, OB/GYN, breast, neuro, and RVT (vascular).
Maintain the ultrasound room cleanliness.
Maintain cleanliness of the sonography rooms.

Prepare your diagnostic medical sonographer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your diagnostic medical sonographer resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a diagnostic medical sonographer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable diagnostic medical sonographer resume templates

Build a professional diagnostic medical sonographer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your diagnostic medical sonographer resume.

Apply for diagnostic medical sonographer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a diagnostic medical sonographer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

Average diagnostic medical sonographer salary

The average diagnostic medical sonographer salary in the United States is $85,607 per year or $41 per hour. Diagnostic medical sonographer salaries range between $52,000 and $139,000 per year.

Average diagnostic medical sonographer salary

$85,607 Yearly

$41.16 hourly

What is a diagnostic medical sonographer and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a diagnostic medical sonographer?

What are the pros and cons of being a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Diagnostic medical sonographer career paths

Key steps to become a diagnostic medical sonographer

Explore diagnostic medical sonographer education requirements

Most common diagnostic medical sonographer degrees

Start to develop specific diagnostic medical sonographer skills

Complete relevant diagnostic medical sonographer training and internships

Gain additional diagnostic medical sonographer certifications

Research diagnostic medical sonographer duties and responsibilities

Prepare your diagnostic medical sonographer resume

Choose from 10+ customizable diagnostic medical sonographer resume templates

Apply for diagnostic medical sonographer jobs

How did you land your first diagnostic medical sonographer job

Average diagnostic medical sonographer salary

How do diagnostic medical sonographers rate their job?

Diagnostic medical sonographer FAQs

What are the pros and cons of being a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Search for diagnostic medical sonographer jobs