How To Become An Extern-Ultrasound Technologist: What It Is and Career Path

What is an extern-ultrasound technologist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Ted Whitten

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an extern-ultrasound technologist. For example, did you know that they make an average of $30.74 an hour? That's $63,931 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 10% and produce 14,700 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to an extern-ultrasound technologist?

Ted Whitten

President, Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

According to the U.S. Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics, "employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, is projected to grow 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations." https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm#tab-6

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted sonography like it has many other professions. At the beginning of the pandemic, some sonographers were furloughed due to temporary closures of outpatient imaging centers or offices, as well as cancellation of most non-urgent sonography exams in the hospital setting as hospitals planned for expected inpatient surges. While many sonography departments have returned to near normal workflows and volumes, the impact of the renewed surges of COVID-19 patients across the country remains to be seen. Some sonographers have also reported inadequate access to personal protective equipment (PPE) in some parts of the country.

ScoreExtern-Ultrasound TechnologistUS Average

Salary

5.0

Avg. Salary $63,931

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 85.15%

male 14.85%

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

Key steps to become an extern-ultrasound technologist

Explore extern-ultrasound technologist education requirements

Most common extern-ultrasound technologist degrees

Associate

46.6 %

Bachelor's

34.4 %

Diploma

7.5 %

Start to develop specific extern-ultrasound technologist skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	20.39%
OB	8.88%
Thyroid	7.90%
GYN	6.27%
Color Doppler	3.85%

Complete relevant extern-ultrasound technologist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New extern-ultrasound technologists 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 an extern-ultrasound technologist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real extern-ultrasound technologist resumes.

Research extern-ultrasound technologist duties and responsibilities

Open and close department independently and also assist surgical staff by managing QC and providing radiopharmaceuticals as needed for procedures.
Assist the radiology physician in invasive procedures such as paracentesis, thoracentesis and biopsies.
Provide preparation and ultrasound guidance for invasive procedures such as paracentesis, thoracentesis, and biopsies.
Scan for procedures including amniocentesis and thyroid biopsy.

Prepare your extern-ultrasound technologist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your extern-ultrasound technologist resume.

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Choose from 10+ customizable extern-ultrasound technologist resume templates

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