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The differences between diagnostic medical sonographers and mri technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a diagnostic medical sonographer and an mri technologist. Additionally, a diagnostic medical sonographer has an average salary of $85,607, which is higher than the $77,257 average annual salary of an mri technologist.
The top three skills for a diagnostic medical sonographer include patients, ARDMS and patient care. The most important skills for an mri technologist are patients, ARRT, and magnetic resonance imaging.
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | MRI Technologist | |
| Yearly salary | $85,607 | $77,257 |
| Hourly rate | $41.16 | $37.14 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 58,800 | 53,125 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 55% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer uses ultrasound high-frequency sound waves to produce images of internal body tissues. Some typical duties include preparing patients, explaining the exams, and reporting the results to the patients or a physician.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technologists are medical professionals who manage everything involved in the MRI machine. They operate the machines to get scans of the patients' brain, spinal cord, or muscles, which would help doctors identify or diagnose clients' illnesses and diseases. They help the patients prepare for the MRI scans and ensure that they are properly protected. They also carefully take direction from attending physicians to ensure that they scan the correct body part needed for the diagnosis. MRI technologists are also in charge of maintaining the MRI machine and working on repairs whenever needed.
Diagnostic medical sonographers and mri technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | MRI Technologist | |
| Average salary | $85,607 | $77,257 |
| Salary range | Between $52,000 And $139,000 | Between $42,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Eureka, CA | Modesto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | St. Mary's Health Inc. | Siemens Healthineers |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a diagnostic medical sonographer and an mri technologist in terms of educational background:
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | MRI Technologist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 55% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Duke University | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between diagnostic medical sonographers' and mri technologists' demographics:
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | MRI Technologist | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 13.4% Female, 86.6% | Male, 43.6% Female, 56.4% |
| 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, 5.4% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 69.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 12% |