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The differences between sonographers and nurses 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 nurse. Additionally, a sonographer has an average salary of $85,898, which is higher than the $57,564 average annual salary of a nurse.
The top three skills for a sonographer include patients, sonography and ARDMS. The most important skills for a nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.
| Sonographer | Nurse | |
| Yearly salary | $85,898 | $57,564 |
| Hourly rate | $41.30 | $27.68 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 14,117 | 696,124 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| 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.
Nurses are medical professionals assigned to a specific department in the hospital and provide their trusted department services. Nurses are in charge of taking patients' medical histories, getting vital signs, preparing patients for checkups or procedures, explaining upcoming practices, answering any questions, and communicating any concerns to the assigned doctor. Nurses should ensure that patients follow the medical advice given to them. They also assist patients in completing administrative requirements, such as filling out forms, validating details, and endorsing payments.
Sonographers and nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sonographer | Nurse | |
| Average salary | $85,898 | $57,564 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $125,000 | Between $38,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Medical City Arlington | Conviva |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a sonographer and a nurse in terms of educational background:
| Sonographer | Nurse | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Nursing |
| Most common college | Duke University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between sonographers' and nurses' demographics:
| Sonographer | Nurse | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 15.0% Female, 85.0% | Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0% |
| 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, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 9% |