Ultrasound has been able to take over many diagnostic treatments that previously only x-ray machines could cover. Furthermore, ultrasound is safer than x-rays for both operator and patient alike. Ultrasound technicians use their ultrasound equipment to gather information about internal organs body tissue, or images of the fetus inside a pregnant mother’s womb. This information, once gathered, is analyzed by the ultrasound technician before being passed onto the physician responsible for the patient in question.
An ultrasound technician is a key member of the medical team, their skill and ability to do a good job is vitally important. For this reason, the rates of pay for qualified ultrasound technicians are highly competitive. In recent data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2009, the average ultrasound technician’s salary was $30.60 an hour or $63,645 per annum. The most experienced and highest paid 10% of ultrasound technicians were reporting annual income of $85,950. Meanwhile, newly qualified ultrasound technicians in the lowest income 10% bracket, reported income of $43,995. Of all the 51,630 qualified ultrasound technicians, 30,500 work in surgical and general hospitals.
Ultrasound technicians earn on average $63,770 per annum when working in hospitals. Those working for physicians earn practically the same average annual salary that is around $63,820. Medical and diagnostic laboratories use ultrasound technicians services frequently, those working in this sector (4,680 individuals) can command an average annual income of $61,820.
One of the best ways to increase your earnings as an ultrasound technician is to work for an employment agency that provide your services as required to its clients such as hospitals, private practices or clinics. You could expect to be able to be paid up to $68,000 working for these employment services. Alternatively, you can earn an income of an average of $67,900 a year by working in management companies or private enterprises that would require your services.
Specialist hospitals, where the ultrasound technicians are required on an extremely frequent basis, pay a higher than average annual salary of $67,000 to recognize the value of your work. If you feel you have a talent for teaching, this can be to your advantage, because your skills and teaching ability can allow you to command an average annual income of $66,200. If you should decide to work in an outpatient center, your average income per annum will be around $64,500. It is important to take note that your salary will vary from these national averages depending upon which state or city you are working or planning on working in.
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