Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Diagnostic medical sonographers typically need at least an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Some workers need a license or certification. PayThe median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers was $96,590 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 6,000 openings for diagnostic medical sonographers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for diagnostic medical sonographers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of diagnostic medical sonographers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about diagnostic medical sonographers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers was $96,590 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 6,000 openings for diagnostic medical sonographers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for diagnostic medical sonographers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of diagnostic medical sonographers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about diagnostic medical sonographers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 6,000 openings for diagnostic medical sonographers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for diagnostic medical sonographers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of diagnostic medical sonographers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about diagnostic medical sonographers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Diagnostic medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to create images of inside the body.
Work Environment
Diagnostic medical sonographers usually work in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and offices of physicians. Most work full time.
How to Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers typically need at least an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Some workers need a license or certification.
Pay
The median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers was $96,590 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 6,000 openings for diagnostic medical sonographers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for diagnostic medical sonographers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of diagnostic medical sonographers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about diagnostic medical sonographers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Diagnostic medical sonographers usually work in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and offices of physicians. Most work full time.
How to Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers typically need at least an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Some workers need a license or certification.
Pay
The median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers was $96,590 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 6,000 openings for diagnostic medical sonographers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for diagnostic medical sonographers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of diagnostic medical sonographers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about diagnostic medical sonographers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for diagnostic medical sonographers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of diagnostic medical sonographers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about diagnostic medical sonographers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about diagnostic medical sonographers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.