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The differences between sonographers and diagnostic medical 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 sonographer and a diagnostic medical sonographer. Additionally, a sonographer has an average salary of $85,898, which is higher than the $85,607 average annual salary of a diagnostic medical sonographer.
The top three skills for a sonographer include patients, sonography and ARDMS. The most important skills for a diagnostic medical sonographer are patients, ARDMS, and patient care.
| Sonographer | Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | |
| Yearly salary | $85,898 | $85,607 |
| Hourly rate | $41.30 | $41.16 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 14,117 | 58,800 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Associate Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Sonographer performs diagnostic procedures using sonographic equipment. Their duties include preparing patients, explaining the exam, and performing the procedure.
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.
Sonographers and diagnostic medical sonographers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sonographer | Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | |
| Average salary | $85,898 | $85,607 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $125,000 | Between $52,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Eureka, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Medical City Arlington | St. Mary's Health Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a sonographer and a diagnostic medical sonographer in terms of educational background:
| Sonographer | Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Associate Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between sonographers' and diagnostic medical sonographers' demographics:
| Sonographer | Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 15.0% Female, 85.0% | Male, 13.4% Female, 86.6% |
| 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% |