Career comparison
Radiologic technologist vs. Diagnostic medical sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers earn more: a median of $96,590, $16,480 (21%) above radiologic technologists at $80,110.
Diagnostic medical sonographers have the stronger outlook: +14% projected growth through 2035, vs. +5%.
Getting in is slower for radiologic technologists: about 2.2 years vs. 17 months for someone with a bachelor's in another field.
At a glance
| Radiologic technologist | Diagnostic medical sonographer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $80,110 | $96,590 |
| Top 10% earn over | $118,660 | $129,370 |
| Growth to 2035 | +5% | +14% |
| Openings per year | 13,000 | 6,000 |
| Jobs today | 234,200 | 92,200 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Associate's degree |
| Time to qualify* | 2.2 years | 17 months |
| Training cost* | $10K–$41K | $8.5K–$31K |
* Starting from a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025. Outlook: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35.
Pay
Radiologic technologist
Diagnostic medical sonographer
Switching from one to the other
Set your education and current pay. The calculator lays out the path, what it costs, and the year it starts paying off.
Radiologic technologistDiagnostic medical sonographer
Loading the calculator…
Getting in
Radiologic technologist
- Entry education
- Associate's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Required: ARRT certification exam · State license in most states
Diagnostic medical sonographer
- Entry education
- Associate's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Required: ARDMS or CCI credential (most employers)
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Radiologic technologist: 29% usually work over 40 hours a weekDiagnostic medical sonographer: 3% usually work over 40 hours a week
Radiologic technologist: core tasks
- Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
- Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
- Perform procedures, such as linear tomography, mammography, sonograms, joint and cyst aspirations, routine contrast studies, routine fluoroscopy, or examinations of the head, trunk, or extremities under supervision of physician.
- Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
- Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
Diagnostic medical sonographer: core tasks
- Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
- Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
- 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.
- 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.
Skills: what carries over
Both rely on: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Monitoring.
New for a radiologic technologist moving to diagnostic medical sonographer: Coordination.
New for a diagnostic medical sonographer moving to radiologic technologist: Service Orientation.
Interests (Holland codes): Radiologic technologist: Realistic, Conventional, Investigative. Diagnostic medical sonographer: Realistic, Conventional, Investigative.
Outlook to 2035, and AI
Radiologic technologist
+5%
about as fast as average · 13,000 openings a year
BLS lists no specific factors, including AI, changing demand for this job.
Diagnostic medical sonographer
+14%
faster than average · 6,000 openings a year
Demand change - share increases as ultrasound technology is increasingly used in patient care across a broad range of clinical specialties, resulting in increased demand for sonographers.
Quoted notes: BLS Employment Projections, factors affecting occupational utilization (Table 1.12). Average growth across all jobs: +3.5%.
Questions people ask
Who makes more, a radiologic technologist or a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Diagnostic medical sonographers earn more: a median of $96,590, $16,480 (21%) above radiologic technologists at $80,110.
Which has the better job outlook?
Diagnostic medical sonographers have the stronger outlook: +14% projected growth through 2035, vs. +5%.
How long does it take to become a diagnostic medical sonographer?
For someone with a bachelor's degree in another field, about 17 months, with tuition of roughly $8,500 to $31,000. Required: ARDMS or CCI credential (most employers).
How long does it take to become a radiologic technologist?
For someone with a bachelor's degree in another field, about 2.2 years, with tuition of roughly $10,250 to $40,800. Required: ARRT certification exam, State license in most states.