Ultrasound Technologist Salary
Ultrasound Technologists in the United States take home an average $29.46 per hour. Geography is the biggest factor affecting pay for this group, followed by years of experience. For the most part, Ultrasound Technologists enjoy their work and report high levels of job satisfaction. Female Ultrasound Technologists far outnumber their male contemporaries among survey respondents. Although one-fourth lack health benefits of any kind, a strong majority do enjoy medical insurance, and over one-half get dental coverage, too. This snapshot results from replies to PayScale's salary survey.
Job Description for Ultrasound Technologist
An ultrasound technologist captures images of internal organs to provide information to doctors so they can determine if a problem is present. The technologist may also acquire images of fetuses to determine that normal growth and development is occurring. Prior to an ultrasound exam being carried out, the technologist provides information for the patient on the procedure and answers any of the patient's questions. The technologist conducts the exam, creates a summary of the findings, and delivers them to the requesting physician. The technologist also recommends a follow-up exam if it is required. Some troubleshooting of the machinery may need to performed by the technologist to obtain good-quality images or to fix small problems with the machinery. Regular maintenance of the machines may also have to be carried out to prevent problems from occurring.
Read More...Ultrasound Technologist Tasks
- Prepare and position patient for ultrasound exam and explain procedure.
- Process and code film, videotape, images or prints from procedures and complete documentation for interpretation by physician.
- Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images according to physician's directive.
- Observe screen during scan to ensure satisfactory image for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments as required.
Common Career Paths for Ultrasound Technologist
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Ultrasound Technologists who transition into an Ultrasound Supervisor role may receive large pay increases as the latter position pays an average $76K per year. A Registered Vascular Ultrasound Technologist role is the most common promotion for Ultrasound Technologists moving up the ladder, and pay for the position tends to be around the $63K mark. Another typical, albeit less common, transition for Ultrasound Technologists is an Ultrasound Technician position, where earnings are usually $51K.
Ultrasound Technologist Job Listings
Popular Skills for Ultrasound Technologist
Ultrasound Technologists report using a pretty varied skill set on the job. Most notably, skills in Abdomen, RDMS, Obstetrics/Gynecology, and RVT are correlated to pay that is above average. Skills that pay less than market rate include Cardiology and ABDOMINAL. Those familiar with Obstetrics/Gynecology also tend to know Abdomen.
Pay by Experience Level for Ultrasound Technologist
Pay by Experience for an Ultrasound Technologist has a positive trend. An entry-level Ultrasound Technologist with less than 5 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of $54,000 based on 593 salaries provided by anonymous users. Average total compensation includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay. An Ultrasound Technologist with mid-career experience which includes employees with 5 to 10 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of $64,000 based on 285 salaries. An experienced Ultrasound Technologist which includes employees with 10 to 20 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of $69,000 based on 269 salaries. An Ultrasound Technologist with late-career experience which includes employees with greater than 20 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of $72,000 based on 114 salaries.
Pay Difference by Location
For Ultrasound Technologists, working in the bustling city of New York has its advantages, including an above-average pay rate. Ultrasound Technologists can also look forward to large paychecks in cities like Dallas (+17 percent), Chicago (+14 percent), Philadelphia (+7 percent), and Los Angeles (+7 percent). One of the biggest compensable factors for Ultrasound Technologists is geography, with workers in Miami earning a whopping 25 percent below the national average. Not at the bottom but still paying below the median are employers in Knoxville and Pittsburgh (18 percent lower and 17 percent lower, respectively).
Ultrasound Technologist Reviews
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Key Stats for Ultrasound Technologist
Gender
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Female
87 % |
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Male
13 % |
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Job Satisfaction
| Extremely satisfied |
Rated 5 out of 5 based on 142 votes. |
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