The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for Cardiac Sonography around the country.
What We Do
A cardiac sonographer uses special tools and equipment in order to create visual images of the heart and heartbeat. These health professionals also conduct a range of tests for this. The results of these tests and the images obtained enable physicians to determine whether a cardiac condition is present. In some cases, a cardiac sonographer may also be present during a surgical procedure.
Work Environment
Almost 70% of cardiac sonographers work in private, local, and state hospitals. In rarer occasions, they can be found in physicians’ offices or in diagnostic and medical laboratories.
How to Become a Cardiac Sonography
To become a cardiac sonographer, one must first complete either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in sonography. Some hospitals and colleges also offer one year certificate programs to eligible participants. Take note that it is important to take part in a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. During the course of the program, you will likely have subjects in the applied sciences, medical terminology, and anatomy. Because the specialization is in cardiac sonography, you will also look at the heart in particular. Plus, you are likely to have to complete a clinical practice element.
Training & Certification Requirements
While not always a legal requirement, it is generally preferred for a cardiac sonographer to be certified. Often, an insurance company will only pay for a procedure if it was completed by a certified sonographer. Cardiovascular Credentialing International and the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers offer certification options. To receive certification, you must first graduate from an accredited program, after which you will need to pass an exam. Your credential will generally be in a specific part of sonography, like cardiac sonography. It is quite common for sonographers to hold multiple certifications, focusing in different parts of the body. It is also recommended to obtain the Basic Life Support Certification, to prove that you can deliver CPR. This is particularly important for cardiac sonographers. A license is generally not required to practice as a cardiac sonographer but some states do ask for a license so it is always best to check.
Cardiac Sonography Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Cardiac Sonography.
Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
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Sonography Radiology and Imaging | $89,000 |
Echocardiography Radiology and Imaging | $89,000 |
Ultrasound Techno Radiology Ultrasound | $57,000 |
Sonographer Registered | $58,000 |
Cardiac Sonography Earning Potential
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, all diagnostic medical sonographers earned an average annual salary of $63,630 as of May 2015.
Cardiac Sonography Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that diagnostic medical sonographers can expect job growth of 12% between the years 2014 and 2024, which is much faster than the national average.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Cardiac Sonography was $89,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide are 54% higher than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Cardiac Sonography Salary by State
The following lists Cardiac Sonography salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $112,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $55,000.
Alaska – $66,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were no current job openings from employers in this state. |
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Alabama – $90,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like UAB Medicine and Stringfellow Memorial Hospital. |
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Arkansas – $91,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Northwest Health System Springdale, Northwest Medical Center Bentonville, Northwest Health Physicians' Specialty Hospital, and Northwest Physicians. |
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Arizona – $73,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Decypher Technologies and Mednax. |
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California – $95,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sutter Health, Community Regional Medical Center, Keck Medical Center of USC, and Kube and Company. |
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Colorado – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Colorado Health, Colorado Heart & Vascular, PC, Gunnison Valley Health System, and Lutheran Medical Center, Wheat Ridge, CO. |
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Connecticut – $103,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Yale New Haven Hospital, Manchester Memorial Hospital, Aureus Medical Group, and UCONN Health Center. |
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DC – $112,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Holy Cross Health, Quadrant Inc., and Inova Alexandria Hospital. |
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Delaware – $78,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nemours. |
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Florida – $83,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Baptist Medical Center, Memorial Healthcare System, Aureus Medical Group, and Premier Health Partners. |
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Georgia – $102,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Northside Hospital, Piedmont Healthcare, Columbus Regional Healthcare, and WellStar Spalding Regional. |
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Hawaii – $55,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Queen's Medical Center. |
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Iowa – $87,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sunbelt Staffing, Mercy Medical Clinton, Mercy Sioux City, and Catholic Health Initiatives. |
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Idaho – $58,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Luke's Health System, St. Luke's Magic Valley, and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center – Boise. |
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Illinois – $101,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The University of Chicago Medicine, Riverside Medical Center, Edward Hospital & Health Services, and SwedishAmerican Health System. |
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Indiana – $85,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Indiana University Health, Bloomington Hospital, Deaconess Health System, and Fayette Regional Health System. |
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Kansas – $81,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Newton Medical Center Kansas, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, and Aureus Medical Group. |
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Kentucky – $77,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Elizabeth Healthcare. |
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Louisiana – $80,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Francis Medical Center, Ochsner Health System, and Women's & Children's Hospital. |
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Massachusetts – $107,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER, Tufts Medical Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton, and Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH). |
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Maryland – $92,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Holy Cross Health, Quadrant Inc., Howard Community College, and University of Maryland Medical Center. |
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Maine – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Maine Medical Partners. |
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Michigan – $90,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Munson Healthcare, McLaren Oakland, St John Prof Bldg One, and St John Oakland Hospital. |
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Minnesota – $78,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Luke's – Duluth, Allina Health, Mayo Clinic, and Fairview Health Services. |
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Missouri – $88,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like BJC HealthCare, Research Medical Center, St. Anthony's Medical Center, and Phelps County Regional Medical Center. |
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Mississippi – $93,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were no current job openings from employers in this state. |
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Montana – $74,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Aureus Medical Group. |
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North Carolina – $85,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like WakeMed, Mission Health, East Carolina University, and Cape Fear Valley Health System. |
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North Dakota – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sanford Health. |
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Nebraska – $65,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Great Plains Health, Catholic Health Initiatives, The Nebraska Medical Center, and Nebraska Medicine. |
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New Hampshire – $88,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Medical Center and Elliot Hospital. |
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New Jersey – $96,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Execu | Search, RWJHamilton.org, HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley, and Barnabas Health. |
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New Mexico – $78,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mednax, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital Employment Center, and Aureus Medical Group. |
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Nevada – $68,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Renown Regional Medical Center, Imaging, Desert View Hospital, and Renown South Meadows Medical Center. |
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New York – $108,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AdvantageCare Physicians, NewYork–Presbyterian/Queens, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, and Execu | Search. |
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Ohio – $85,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Adena Health System, OhioHealth, Ohio State University Medical Center, and Mount Carmel Health. |
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Oklahoma – $82,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, Saint Francis Health System, Universal Health Services, and OU Medical Center. |
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Oregon – $86,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PeaceHealth. |
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Pennsylvania – $86,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Grand View Health, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and Einstein Healthcare Network. |
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Rhode Island – $81,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like White County Medical Center. |
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South Carolina – $88,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Supplemental Health Care, Carolinas Hospital System – Marion, Lowcountry Cardiology Associates, PA, and Mary Black Health System – Gaffney. |
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South Dakota – $67,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were no current job openings from employers in this state. |
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Tennessee – $83,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Parkridge Medical Center, Saint Thomas Health, Maury Regional Medical Center and affiliates, and Premier Health Partners. |
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Texas – $86,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Memorial Hermann, South Texas Health System, Mednax, and Kingwood Medical Center – Kingwood. |
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Utah – $69,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Premier Health Partners, University of Utah Health Care, University of Utah Health, and Davis Hospital & Medical Ctr. |
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Virginia – $90,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like VCU Health System, MedTrust, Inova Alexandria Hospital, and Henrico Doctors Hospital Hanover. |
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Vermont – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were no current job openings from employers in this state. |
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Washington – $92,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Health Initiatives, CHI Franciscan, ST FRANCIS HOSPITAL, and Mednax. |
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Wisconsin – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Aurora Health Care, WHEATON FRANCISCAN HEALTHCARE, SSM Health, and Medical College of Wisconsin. |
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West Virginia – $84,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like WVU Healthcare. |
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Wyoming – $74,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
Average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Cardiac Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sheridan Memorial Hospital. |
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