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The differences between x-ray technicians and sonographers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an x-ray technician and a sonographer. Additionally, a sonographer has an average salary of $85,898, which is higher than the $51,642 average annual salary of an x-ray technician.
The top three skills for an x-ray technician include patients, ARRT and radiologic technologist. The most important skills for a sonographer are patients, sonography, and ARDMS.
| X-Ray Technician | Sonographer | |
| Yearly salary | $51,642 | $85,898 |
| Hourly rate | $24.83 | $41.30 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 60,780 | 14,117 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 62% | Associate Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The job of X-ray technicians, or X-ray technologists, is to detect medical issues that may need urgent medical treatment using cutting-edge imaging methods. The pictures they generate aid physicians in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses with better accuracy. They use a wide range of imaging technologies such as the traditional X-ray machines, computerized axial tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. X-ray technicians may also perform some office work that includes preparing work schedules, managing radiologic departments, and setting up physicians' stations.
A Sonographer performs diagnostic procedures using sonographic equipment. Their duties include preparing patients, explaining the exam, and performing the procedure.
X-ray technicians and sonographers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| X-Ray Technician | Sonographer | |
| Average salary | $51,642 | $85,898 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $81,000 | Between $58,000 And $125,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fresno, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Stability Healthcare | Medical City Arlington |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Technology |
There are a few differences between an x-ray technician and a sonographer in terms of educational background:
| X-Ray Technician | Sonographer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 62% | Associate Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Texas A&M University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between x-ray technicians' and sonographers' demographics:
| X-Ray Technician | Sonographer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7% | Male, 15.0% Female, 85.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 | 10% | 6% |