Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
SOC Code: 29-2032 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $112,736 | $137,030 | $161,346 | $185,640 |
| Vallejo, CA | $95,139 | $123,718 | $152,318 | $180,898 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $97,261 | $122,907 | $148,533 | $174,179 |
| Napa, CA | $93,288 | $118,040 | $142,792 | $167,544 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $95,576 | $119,517 | $143,437 | $167,378 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $91,395 | $116,480 | $141,565 | $166,650 |
| Yuba City, CA | $92,518 | $115,690 | $138,882 | $162,053 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $97,323 | $118,248 | $139,152 | $160,077 |
| Modesto, CA | $75,400 | $100,693 | $126,006 | $151,299 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $88,816 | $108,056 | $127,317 | $146,557 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Speaking | 3.8 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.8 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 | |
| Monitoring | 3.5 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 | |
| Active Learning | 3.4 | |
| Time Management | 3.4 | |
| Science | 3.2 | |
| Coordination | 3.2 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.5 |
| English Language | 4.1 |
| Physics | 3.7 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 3.6 |
| Administrative | 3.3 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.2 |
| Psychology | 3.2 |
| Education and Training | 3.2 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate's degree | 47.1% |
| Some college | 19.3% |
| Bachelor's degree | 16.8% |
| First professional degree (MD, JD) | 16.7% |
Typical Tasks
- Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
- 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.
- 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.
- Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
- 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.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
MEDITECH software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software eClinicalWorks EHR software Calendar and scheduling software Database software Email software Medical procedure coding software Patient medical record software Spreadsheet software Word processing software
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