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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Virginia

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Virginia

Considering working as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Virginia? Below are the key facts. Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists. Excludes “Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians” (29-2031).

What do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Make in Virginia?

For a diagnostic medical sonographers working in Virginia, the typical annual salary is $89,430 per year (or roughly $43.00/hour).Earnings range from $62,400 at the 10th percentile to $118,200 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $62,400 $30.00
25th percentile $79,070 $38.02
Median (50th) $89,430 $43.00
75th percentile $101,860 $48.97
90th percentile $118,200 $56.83
Salary ranges for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Virginia

The job concentration index in Virginia relative to the national average — is 1.00.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, diagnostic medical sonographers earn a median of $91,848 per year ($44.16/hour), below the Virginia median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 3,282,869 diagnostic medical sonographers in the U.S.. In Virginia alone, about 2,280 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 1,120 diagnostic medical sonographers.

Forecasted number of jobs for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Top Virginia Metros for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

The metro areas below employ the most diagnostic medical sonographers in Virginia.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Richmond, VA 480 $82,480
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC 400 $80,760
Roanoke, VA 150 $80,560
Lynchburg, VA 80 $79,210
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA 50 $85,020
Winchester, VA-WV 40 $82,810

Top States for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Employment

View the states that employ the most diagnostic medical sonographers work.

State Number Employed
California 9,240
New York 7,080
Florida 6,560
Texas 6,110
Illinois 3,500
Pennsylvania 3,250
New Jersey 3,160
Michigan 3,090
North Carolina 3,070
Ohio 3,010
Georgia 2,430
Virginia 2,280
Tennessee 2,160
Massachusetts 2,120
Washington 2,060
Maryland 1,800
Arizona 1,790
Minnesota 1,510
Missouri 1,500
Wisconsin 1,480

Highest-Paying States for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

The highest-paying states for diagnostic medical sonographers.

State Annual Median Salary
Hawaii $122,030
California $120,840
Oregon $108,230
Washington $107,360
District of Columbia $106,130
Colorado $104,810
Massachusetts $104,130
Alaska $103,160
Connecticut $102,850
New York $101,930

Skills

The most important diagnostic medical sonographers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Active Listening  3.9 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.8 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  3.8 / 5
0
5
Social Perceptiveness  3.8 / 5
0
5
Monitoring  3.5 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  3.5 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Customer and Personal Service  4.5 / 5
0
5
English Language  4.1 / 5
0
5
Physics  3.7 / 5
0
5
Medicine and Dentistry  3.6 / 5
0
5
Administrative  3.3 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  3.2 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Key abilities for diagnostic medical sonographers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  3.9 / 5
0
5
Near Vision  3.9 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  3.9 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  3.9 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  3.8 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers typically:

  • Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
  • Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
  • Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
  • Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
  • Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.
  • Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
  • Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.
  • Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.
  • Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.
  • Maintain records that include patient information, sonographs and interpretations, files of correspondence, publications and regulations, or quality assurance records, such as pathology, biopsy, or post-operative reports.
  • Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment.
  • Coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.

Work Activities

  • Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Getting Information
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Working with Computers
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

  • Allied Health Professions

Related occupations to diagnostic medical sonographers include:

Also Known As

Cardiac Sonographer, Cardiovascular Sonographer, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Echo Sonographer (Echocardiograph Sonographer), Echo Tech (Echocardiographic Technician), Echocardiogram Technician, Echocardiographer, Echocardiographic Technologist, Echocardiography Technician, Echocardiology Technologist, Medical Sonographer, OB/GYN Sonographer (Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonographer), Polysomnographic Technician, Polysomnographic Technologist, Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer.

References

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