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Sonographer vs registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer

The differences between sonographers and registered diagnostic cardiac 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 registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer. Additionally, a sonographer has an average salary of $85,898, which is higher than the $72,999 average annual salary of a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer.

The top three skills for a sonographer include patients, sonography and ARDMS. The most important skills for a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer are ARDMS, m-mode, and echocardiogram.

Sonographer vs registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer overview

SonographerRegistered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
Yearly salary$85,898$72,999
Hourly rate$41.30$35.10
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs14,1178,970
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 57%Associate Degree, 54%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

Sonographer vs registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer salary

Sonographers and registered diagnostic cardiac sonographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

SonographerRegistered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
Average salary$85,898$72,999
Salary rangeBetween $58,000 And $125,000Between $42,000 And $124,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyMedical City Arlington-
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between sonographer and registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer education

There are a few differences between a sonographer and a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer in terms of educational background:

SonographerRegistered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 57%Associate Degree, 54%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianMedical Technician
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Sonographer vs registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer demographics

Here are the differences between sonographers' and registered diagnostic cardiac sonographers' demographics:

SonographerRegistered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 15.0% Female, 85.0%Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between sonographer and registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer duties and responsibilities

Sonographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage and operate the daily operations and supervision of the radiology ultrasound departments.
  • Explain ultrasound procedures to patients, record relevant medical history, reconcile and collect required data.
  • Perform all ultrasound exams, ie: Abd, OB/Gyn, small parts and vascular.
  • Pass ARDMS vascular exam at Oct.
  • Experience with ICAVL guidelines and requirements.
  • Maintain equipment, treadmill room and supply inventory.
  • Show more

Registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer example responsibilities.

  • Used EMR to view, confirm and change test orders and schedule patients for exams.
  • Maximize patient satisfaction by customizing exam room to ensure patient comfort; consistently request by returning patients to provide follow-up care.
  • Coordinate patient schedules with cardiac stress and nuclear departments.

Sonographer vs registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer skills

Common sonographer skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Sonography, 11%
  • ARDMS, 11%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Ultrasound Equipment, 6%
  • Ultrasound Procedures, 4%
Common registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer skills
  • ARDMS, 53%
  • M-Mode, 11%
  • Echocardiogram, 10%
  • RDCS, 9%
  • Pacs, 5%
  • EKG, 5%

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