Diagnostic medical sonographer vs vascular sonographer

The differences between diagnostic medical sonographers and vascular sonographers 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 a vascular sonographer. Additionally, a diagnostic medical sonographer has an average salary of $85,607, which is higher than the $84,915 average annual salary of a vascular sonographer.

The top three skills for a diagnostic medical sonographer include patients, ARDMS and patient care. The most important skills for a vascular sonographer are patients, RVT, and patient care.

Diagnostic medical sonographer vs vascular sonographer overview

	Diagnostic Medical Sonographer	Vascular Sonographer
Yearly salary	$85,607	$84,915
Hourly rate	$41.16	$40.82
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	58,800	8,139
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 55%	Associate Degree, 46%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a diagnostic medical sonographer do?

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.

What does a vascular sonographer do?

It is the responsibility of a vascular sonographer to check the vascular systems of patients through specialized medical equipment for signs of disease or obstruction. Vascular sonographers are medical imaging specialists supervised by a vascular system specialist or physician. They examine blood vessels using ultrasound for diagnosis and treatment of any vascular system-related disease. Typically, they work in hospitals, laboratories, and doctor's offices. They are required to have a bachelor's degree in cardiovascular technology or diagnostic medical sonography.

Diagnostic medical sonographer vs vascular sonographer salary

Diagnostic medical sonographers and vascular sonographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Diagnostic Medical Sonographer	Vascular Sonographer
Average salary	$85,607	$84,915
Salary range	Between $52,000 And $139,000	Between $56,000 And $127,000
Highest paying City	Eureka, CA	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	St. Mary's Health Inc.	Doctors Community Hospital
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between diagnostic medical sonographer and vascular sonographer education

There are a few differences between a diagnostic medical sonographer and a vascular sonographer in terms of educational background:

	Diagnostic Medical Sonographer	Vascular Sonographer
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 55%	Associate Degree, 46%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Medical Technician
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Diagnostic medical sonographer vs vascular sonographer demographics

Here are the differences between diagnostic medical sonographers' and vascular sonographers' demographics:

	Diagnostic Medical Sonographer	Vascular Sonographer
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 13.4% Female, 86.6%	Male, 26.2% Female, 73.8%
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, 4.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between diagnostic medical sonographer and vascular sonographer duties and responsibilities

Diagnostic medical sonographer example 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.
Perform duties for department QA, revenue/statistics, patient record keeping.
Perform abdominal, small part, obstetrics, gynecological, DVT, and carotid ultrasounds.

Vascular sonographer example responsibilities.

Manage and operate the daily operations and supervision of the radiology ultrasound departments.
Perform ABI, segmental pressure and oxygen tension studies.
Work independently providing quality images for radiologists while maintaining a high level of care and compassion for the patient.
Perform abdomen, obstetrics and gynecology, and small parts ultrasound examinations.
Perform a wide variety of obstetrics and gynecology ultrasounds in perinatal department.
Ensure private and safe environment for patients and ensure patient safety regulations are followed consistently while providing compassionate customer service.

Diagnostic medical sonographer vs vascular sonographer skills

Common diagnostic medical sonographer skills

Patients, 19%
ARDMS, 11%
Patient Care, 7%
OB-GYN, 6%
Abdomen, 6%
Ultrasound Procedures, 5%

Common vascular sonographer skills

Patients, 25%
RVT, 11%
Patient Care, 9%
Doppler, 8%
Vascular Ultrasound, 8%
Ultrasound Procedures, 5%

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Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer vs Vascular Sonographer

Updated January 8, 2025

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