Cardiovascular technologists and technicians held about 57,800 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of cardiovascular technologists and technicians were as follows:
Hospitals; state, local, and private | 78% |
Offices of physicians | 12 |
Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 2 |
Outpatient care centers | 2 |
Diagnostic medical sonographers held about 72,900 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of diagnostic medical sonographers were as follows:
Hospitals; state, local, and private | 60% |
Offices of physicians | 21 |
Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 11 |
Outpatient care centers | 4 |
Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, complete most of their work at diagnostic imaging machines in dimly lit rooms. They may perform procedures at patients’ bedsides. Diagnostic imaging workers may be on their feet for long periods and may need to lift or turn patients who are ill or disabled.
Work Schedules
Most diagnostic imaging workers work full time. Some may work evenings, weekends, or overnight because they work in facilities that are always open.
Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, need formal education, such as an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Many employers also require professional certification.
Education
Colleges and universities offer both associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in sonography and in cardiovascular and vascular technology. One-year certificate programs also are available from colleges and some hospitals.
Employers typically prefer graduates of programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) .
Sonography, cardiovascular, and vascular education programs usually include courses in anatomy, medical terminology, and applied sciences. Most sonography programs are divided into the specialized fields listed earlier that correspond to the relevant certification exams, such as abdominal sonography or breast sonography. Cardiovascular and vascular programs include coursework in either invasive or noninvasive cardiovascular or vascular technology procedures. In addition to requiring classroom study, most programs include a clinical component in which students earn credit while working under a more experienced technologist in a hospital, a physician’s office, or an imaging laboratory.
High school students who are interested in diagnostic medical sonography, cardiovascular technology, or vascular technology should take courses in anatomy, physiology, physics, and math.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Most employers prefer to hire diagnostic imaging workers with professional certification, or they may expect applicants to earn certification shortly after being hired. Many insurance providers and Medicare pay for procedures only if a certified sonographer, technologist, or technician performed the work. Certification is available from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers , Cardiovascular Credentialing International , and American Registry of Radiologic Technologists .
Diagnostic imaging workers can earn certification by graduating from an accredited program, although candidates also may qualify through alternative combinations of education and experience. All candidates must pass an exam. Most of the certifications are for specialties in diagnostic imaging; for example, a sonographer can earn a certification in abdominal sonography. Most diagnostic imaging workers have at least one certification, but many earn multiple certifications.
In addition, many employers prefer to hire candidates who have a basic life support (BLS) certification, which affirms that they are trained to provide CPR.
Few states require diagnostic medical sonographers to be licensed. Typically, professional certification is required for licensure; other requirements vary by state. Contact state medical boards for more information.
Diagnostic medical sonographers typically have an interest in the Building, Thinking and Helping interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Helping interest area indicates a focus on assisting, serving, counseling, or teaching other people.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Thinking or Helping interest which might fit with a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Diagnostic medical sonographers should also possess the following specific qualities:
Detail oriented. Diagnostic imaging workers must follow precise instructions to obtain the images needed to diagnose and treat patients. They must also pay attention to the screen while scanning a patient's body because the cues that contrast healthy areas with unhealthy ones may be subtle.
Hand-eye coordination. To get quality images, diagnostic imaging workers must be able to accurately move equipment on the patient’s body in response to what they see on the screen.
Interpersonal skills. Diagnostic imaging workers must work closely with patients. Sometimes patients are in extreme pain or mental stress, and they must get cooperation from the patient to create usable images.
Physical stamina. Diagnostic imaging workers are on their feet for long periods and must be able to lift and move patients who need assistance.
Technical skills. Diagnostic imaging workers must understand how to operate complex machinery and computerized instruments.
The median annual wage for cardiovascular technologists and technicians was $57,720 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,710, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $94,370.
The median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers was $74,320 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $52,770, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $102,060.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for cardiovascular technologists and technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Outpatient care centers | $71,480 |
Offices of physicians | 61,700 |
Hospitals; state, local, and private | 56,720 |
Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 54,990 |
In May 2019, the median annual wages for diagnostic medical sonographers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Outpatient care centers | $89,880 |
Hospitals; state, local, and private | 74,440 |
Offices of physicians | 73,810 |
Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 70,100 |
Most diagnostic imaging workers work full time. Some may work evenings, weekends, or overnight because they work in facilities that are always open.
Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 19 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, is projected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.
As the large baby-boom population ages, the need to diagnose medical conditions—such as blood clots and heart disease—will likely increase. Imaging technology is a tool used in making these diagnoses. Moreover, diagnostic medical sonographers, cardiovascular technologists and technicians, and vascular technologists will continue to be needed in healthcare settings to provide an alternative to imaging techniques that involve radiation.
Job Prospects
Diagnostic imaging personnel who are certified are expected to have the best job opportunities. Those certified in more than one specialty are expected to find even greater job opportunities.
For more information about diagnostic medical sonographers, visit
Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
For more information about cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, visit
Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals
American Society of Echocardiography
Society for Vascular Ultrasound
For more information about registration and certification, visit
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
Cardiovascular Credentialing International
American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
For a current list of accredited education programs in diagnostic medical sonography and cardiovascular technology, including vascular technology, visit
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
CareerOneStop
For a career video on cardiovascular technologists and technicians, visit