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The differences between sonographers and radiologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a sonographer, becoming a radiologist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a radiologist has an average salary of $298,405, which is higher than the $85,898 average annual salary of a sonographer.
The top three skills for a sonographer include patients, sonography and ARDMS. The most important skills for a radiologist are patients, pacs, and patient care.
| Sonographer | Radiologist | |
| Yearly salary | $85,898 | $298,405 |
| Hourly rate | $41.30 | $143.46 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 14,117 | 1,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 43 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A Sonographer performs diagnostic procedures using sonographic equipment. Their duties include preparing patients, explaining the exam, and performing the procedure.
A radiologist is responsible for interpreting and evaluating medical image results to diagnose medical conditions and refer to medical professionals for immediate treatment plans. Radiologists analyze the patient's medical history to determine their medical conditions before the radiology procedure. They utilize various high-level machinery, requiring them to have strong knowledge of operating the equipment to ensure accurate results and reports. A radiologist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in discussing the medical processes to the patients and responding to any inquiries and concerns they may have.
Sonographers and radiologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sonographer | Radiologist | |
| Average salary | $85,898 | $298,405 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $125,000 | Between $124,000 And $714,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Rochester, MN |
| Highest paying state | California | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Medical City Arlington | Allina Health |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a sonographer and a radiologist in terms of educational background:
| Sonographer | Radiologist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Duke University | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between sonographers' and radiologists' demographics:
| Sonographer | Radiologist | |
| Average age | 43 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 15.0% Female, 85.0% | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% |
| 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, 5.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 13% |