Ultrasound Technician / Sonographer Career

Find an Ultrasound Tech Degree

Fill out this short form below, and we'll help match you to an accredited college program that suits your interests, whether online- or campus-based.

When you think of an Ultrasound Technician or Sonographer, you probably envision someone in a lab coat pressing lots of buttons. Easy job, right? Here’s the scoop on the realities of a career in Ultrasound.

What You Do in This Career

Ultrasound Technicians, also called Sonographers, use ultrasound to make pictures of what’s going on inside soft tissue, like breasts, the heart, and reproductive systems, and is radiation-free (unlike X-rays). Some choose to specialize in specific body parts, like the abdomen, obstetrics/gynecology, vascular technology, neurosonology (brain and spine), or ophthalmology. Diagnostic medical sonographers have a lot of contact with patients which may even include performing invasive procedures. People skills are a must!

Salary and Career Path

Salaries are high for sonographers, but vary by location. More expensive areas pay better, but the cost of living is higher. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage of diagnostic medical sonographers in 2008 was $61,980, with the lowest 10% earning less than $43,600. Even the low range isn’t bad, but when you consider that the high range is over $83,950 per year, a career in sonography looks very promising indeed. Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs last from one to four years, depending on the degree. Some programs prefer applicants with experience in other healthcare professions, such as nurse practitioners, but others require no experience at all.

What Kind of Degree or Coursework You Need

No states require licensure in diagnostic medical sonography, but most employers prefer registered sonographers. Registration requires becoming eligible to take the examination by completing education, training, or work experience. Exams usually include a test in one specialty, such as laboratory technology, radiology, or surgical technology; but sonographers can advance in their careers by having more than one specialty or multiple credentials in related areas, like obstetrics and abdominal sonography. There are many ways to get training, like through the military medical corps, vocational schools, or continuing education courses for medical care workers.

Top Online Health Services Programs

There are multiple educational paths that students can take to become an ultrasound technician or diagnostic medical sonographer. The schools below do not offer ultrasound-specific training, but they do offer medical assisting and other healthcare programs that are closely related. You can request information by clicking on any of the links below.

AS in Health IT	DeVry University — For over 80 years, DeVry University has focused on relevant areas of study, offering associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs and specializations that cover 34 different career fields. Earn your associate degree in Health Information Technology from DeVry University, and prepare to be an HIT leader in contemporary hospitals, physicians' offices, medical clinics, and more. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
AAS in Health IT	Rasmussen College — Founded in 1900, Rasmussen College has grown to now include 22 campuses and more than 40 diverse online degree programs where students can choose from many bachelor's and associate's degrees. The AAS in Health Information Technology program prepares students to become health information technicians. Rasmussen College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
AS in Medical Assisting	Herzing University — With a 45 year history, Herzing University is an accredited university that offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees as well as diplomas in over 45 different programs. The AS in Medical Assisting program builds on the online diploma program by incorporating the general education requirements required for this level of degree. Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
AS in Health Info Mgmt AS in Health Admin	Hodges University — Founded in 1990, Hodges University is one the premier private universities in the State of Florida. The AS in Health Information Management and AS in Health Administration programs, while not ultrasound training programs, do teach students how to use information technology to meet the needs of the healthcare industry. Hodges University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
AS in Medical Assisting	Keiser University — Keiser University, founded in 1977, is a private, regionally accredited career university offering certificates, associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The AS in Medical Assisting program prepares students to perform medical assisting duties under the direction of a physician or practitioner. Keiser University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
BS in Health Services Mgmt	Virginia College — Founded in 1983, Virginia College is a private institution of higher education committed to offering associate degrees, diploma courses, and baccalaureate degrees at over 20 different campuses. The BS in Health Services Management program prepares you for mid-level management positions in health care organizations including hospitals, physician practices, and home health agencies. Virginia is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.