A Sonographer Is A Radiology Technician

A sonographer is an ultrasound technician. Sonographers perform tests that direct sound waves at a specific area of the body to produce images of the body. A person who wants to be a sonographer needs to be a radiology technician because that is the degree you need to be hired to operate the equipment used in this profession.

Average Yearly Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that as of 2009 the average yearly salary of sonographers was $63,640. This amount is the base amount before the person receives incentive bonuses or other financial compensations like profit sharing programs.

Location Makes a Difference in Salary

Not only does the radiology technician make different amounts of money depending on the type of facility they are employed by, but they also make different salaries dependent on the city and state they are employed in.

This profession allows for the individual to work in private practices, laboratories, medical centers, hospitals, and several diagnostic centers. Different facilities have different amounts they allot to pay the people in this profession.

It is reported that in 2009 a radiology technician that was working as a sonographer in the state of Massachusetts could make as much as $78,460, but the individual working in a comparable establishment located in the state of Florida would only receive a yearly pay of $56,030. So the location of the facility that employs the individual makes a big difference in the expected salary.

Choose Your Patients

A radiology technician that is trained to run the equipment to perform these sonograms can choose the type of patient they most prefer to work with. That statement may sound callous, but every person has a preferred age range that they get along better with.

There are people who can be compassionate and patient with the elderly patient, but lose their patience when they are exposed to middle aged people who are sick.

The same can be said of working with pediatric patients. There are people who work well with children, they can empathize with the child, and they seem to have a way with kids. These people can get the children to do the things they need to for a successful outcome from the test. The same person when giving an elderly patient to work with may quickly lose their patience with the person and be unable to connect with the person.

Only you know what type of technician you want to be, and what type of patient you would work best with. Apply for jobs in places where you will be working with the type of patient you feel you can do your best with.