The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for Sonography around the country.
What We Do
A sonographer, or diagnostic medical sonographer, is a specialist who operates highly specialized imaging equipment in order to conduct tests and produce images for diagnostic purposes. The results of these tests and images enable physicians to complete a diagnosis of a patient, finding out the the medical condition of that particular patient. Sometimes, sonographers work directly with surgeons during procedures.
Work Environment
Almost 70% of sonographers work in private, local, and state hospitals. The rest can be found within physician’s offices, and in diagnostic and medical laboratories.
How to Become a Sonography
There are both bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs available in the field of sonography for those interested in this career. Some colleges and many hospitals also offer one year certificate programs. It is important to choose a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Professionals (CAAHEP). The educational program will look at various topics, such as applied science, medical terminology, anatomy, and so on. Additionally, it is common for a sonographer to specialize in a certain field of the human body. Popular options include the stomach and the heart. Training must include a clinical element as well.
Training & Certification Requirements
Generally speaking, it is better to have a professional certification if you want to work as a sonographer, even if such is not required. This is also because Medicare, Medicaid, and most other health care insurance companies will only pay for procedures completed by certified individuals. You can obtain certification through the Cardiovascular Credentialing International organization and through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. To become certified, you must have completed an accredited program, after which you can take the exam. You may have to choose a specialization for your certification, such as cardiovascular or abdominal sonography. Many people obtain multiple certifications. Additionally, it is recommended to complete the Basic Life Support certification, which demonstrates that you can provide CPR. Only in very few states do you have to be licensed as a sonographer. If you do, however, then you usually have to become certified first. Your state medical board will have further information.
Sonography Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Sonography.
Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
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Sonography Radiology and Imaging | $89,000 |
Sonographer Gyn | $89,000 |
Sonographer Diagnostic | $89,000 |
Registered Vascular Sonographer | $89,000 |
Ultra Sound Technologist | $38,000 |
Ultrasound Techno Radiology Ultrasound | $57,000 |
Echocardiography Radiology and Imaging | $89,000 |
Ultrasound | $85,000 |
Ultrasound Technologist Idtf | $37,000 |
Radiology Nursing | $65,000 |
Sonography Earning Potential
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, diagnostic medical sonographers earned an average annual salary of $63,630 as of May 2015.
Sonography Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has indicated that diagnostic medical sonographers can expect a job growth of 12% between the years of 2014 and 2024, which is much faster than the national average.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Sonography was $89,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide are 54% higher than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Sonography Salary by State
The following lists 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 Sonography salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, MedPro Healthcare Staffing, Providence Health & Services, and Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation. |
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Alabama – $90,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like UAB Medicine, Crestwood Medical Center, Stringfellow Memorial Hospital, and Gadsden Regional Medical Center. |
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Arkansas – $91,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Baptist Health, Aureus Medical Group, Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation, and Northwest Health System Springdale. |
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Arizona – $73,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Arizona Community Physicians, Mednax, House of Ruth Pregnancy Care Center, and Tucson Medical Center. |
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California – $95,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kaiser Permanente, Community Regional Medical Center, Quality Medical Imaging, and UCLA Health. |
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Colorado – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Health Images, University of Colorado Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Gunnison Valley Health System. |
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Connecticut – $103,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Vincent’s Health Services, Aureus Medical Group, UCONN Health Center, and Manchester Memorial Hospital. |
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DC – $112,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dimensions Healthcare System, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, and Kaiser Permanente. |
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Delaware – $78,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nemours, Aureus Medical Group, and VCA Antech, Inc.. |
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Florida – $83,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Baptist Medical Center, Nemours, Premier Health Partners, and BayCare. |
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Georgia – $102,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average 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, Columbus Regional Healthcare, University Health Care System, and Trinity Hospital of Augusta. |
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Hawaii – $55,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average 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, Kaiser Permanente, and ICON Medical Network. |
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Iowa – $87,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average 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, Catholic Health Initiatives, McFarland Clinic PC, and WHEATON FRANCISCAN HEALTHCARE. |
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Idaho – $58,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center – Boise, Opportunity Healthcare, St. Luke's Health System, and St. Luke's Magic Valley. |
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Illinois – $101,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Advocate Health Care, Presence Health, The University of Chicago Medicine, and MacNeal Hospital. |
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Indiana – $85,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Community Health Network, Bloomington Hospital, Indiana University Health, and Schneck Medical Center. |
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Kansas – $81,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Western Plains Medical Complex, Wesley Medical Center, Aureus Medical Group, and Kansas City Vascular & Gen Sur. |
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Kentucky – $77,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Quorum Health, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, University of Kentucky, and St. Elizabeth Healthcare. |
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Louisiana – $80,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ochsner Health System, Lafayette General Medical Center, North Oaks Health System, and Touro Infirmary. |
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Massachusetts – $107,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Emerson Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH), Aureus Medical Group, and North Shore Medical Center(NSMC). |
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Maryland – $92,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dimensions Healthcare System, Kaiser Permanente, Privia Health, LLC, and Holy Cross Health. |
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Maine – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Maine Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, Mid Coast Hospital, and St. Joseph Hospital. |
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Michigan – $90,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Munson Healthcare, Henry Ford Health System, McLaren Oakland, and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. |
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Minnesota – $78,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Luke's – Duluth, Allina Health, Maple Grove Hospital, and Regions Hospital. |
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Missouri – $88,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mercy, St. Anthony's Medical Center, Research Medical Center, and Liberty Hospital. |
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Mississippi – $93,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation and St. Dominic Hospital. |
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Montana – $74,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kalispell Regional Healthcare, Aureus Medical Group, and Billings Clinic. |
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North Carolina – $85,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like WakeMed, Mission Health, Duke University and Duke University Health System, and Haywood Regional Medical Center. |
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North Dakota – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sanford Health, Mid Dakota Clinic Pc, Catholic Health Initiatives, and Essentia Health. |
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Nebraska – $65,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Health Initiatives, Great Plains Health, The Nebraska Medical Center, and Children's Hospital & Medical Center – Omaha. |
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New Hampshire – $88,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Medical Center, Frisbie Memorial Hospital, The Elliot at Rivers Edge, and Elliot Hospital. |
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New Jersey – $96,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like SAINT JOSEPH HEALTHCARE, Atlantic Health System, JFK Medical, and Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. |
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New Mexico – $78,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mednax, Aureus Medical Group, UNM Hospitals, and Nor-Lea General Hospital Employment Center. |
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Nevada – $68,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The CSI Companies, Renown Regional Medical Center, Imaging, and UnitedHealth Group. |
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New York – $108,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Premier Health Partners, NewYork–Presbyterian/Queens, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, and South Nassau Communities Hospital. |
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Ohio – $85,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mount Carmel Health, OhioHealth, Ohio State University Medical Center, and MetroHealth. |
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Oklahoma – $82,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average 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, OU Medical Center, and Jackson County Memorial Hospital. |
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Oregon – $86,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Providence Health & Services, Salem Hospital, Legacy Health System, and Oregon Health & Science University. |
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Pennsylvania – $86,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Mary Medical Center, Grand View Health, Geisinger Health System, and Pocono Health System. |
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Rhode Island – $81,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Lifespan, Tollgate Radiology, Neighbors Emergency Center, and White County Medical Center. |
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South Carolina – $88,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Aiken Regional Medical Centers, Supplemental Health Care, Lexington Medical Center, and Self Regional Healthcare. |
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South Dakota – $67,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Regional Health and Aureus Medical Group. |
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Tennessee – $83,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average 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 Memorial Health Care Corporation, Saint Thomas Health, Regional One Health, and Sumner Regional Medical Center. |
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Texas – $86,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Seton Healthcare Family, Memorial Hermann, Parkland Hospital, and Accountable Healthcare Staffing. |
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Utah – $69,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average 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, IASIS Healthcare – Davis Hospital and Medical Center, Davis Hospital & Medical Ctr, and University of Utah Health Care. |
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Virginia – $90,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sentara Healthcare, VCU Health System, Aureus Medical Group, and Bon Secours Health System. |
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Vermont – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Rutland Regional Medical Center and Copley Health Systems, Inc.. |
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Washington – $92,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Health Initiatives, Kadlec, PMH Medical Center, and Summit Pacific Medical Center. |
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Wisconsin – $79,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Aurora Health Care, Hospital Sisters Health System, WHEATON FRANCISCAN HEALTHCARE, and ProHealth Care. |
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West Virginia – $84,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Sonography salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like West Virginia University Hospitals, WVU Healthcare, and Raleigh General. |
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Wyoming – $74,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
Average Sonography salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average 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, Sheridan Memorial Hospital, and Wyoming Medical Center. |
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