The College Question: Why Should I Take Sonography?
In the United States, a lot of medical programs get accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) each year. Sonography is one of the most popular programs among high school graduates because of its accessibility as well as good employment opportunities. An ultrasound technician is paid very well and is constantly in high demand in the US – which adds to the constantly increasing numbers of accredited ultrasound technician schools in 2014 and 2015.
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How much do sonographers earn in the US?
Employment in the United States has been getting better over the past few years, with employment going down 1.2 percent (1.7 million) from the national rate of 5.8 percent (9.1 million). There were big employment gains, with growth in professional and business services, retail, trade, health care, and manufacturing. Labor force participation was the same at 62.8 percent, unchanged since the middle of the year.
With almost 60,000 sonographers employed in the United States, it remains a very in-demand occupation. Annual wage is $67,170 on average, from an hourly wage of $32.29. The state with the highest-paid sonographers pay sonographers as much as $100,000 annually. These numbers are better than the nationwide statistics of annual mean wage of $46,440 and a mean hourly wage of $22.33 (from the May 2013 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Employment in the United States has been getting better over the past few years, with employment going down 1.2 percent (1.7 million) from the national rate of 5.8 percent (9.1 million). There were big employment gains, with growth in professional and business services, retail, trade, health care, and manufacturing. Labor force participation was the same at 62.8 percent, unchanged since the middle of the year.
With almost 60,000 sonographers employed in the United States, it remains a very in-demand occupation. Annual wage is $67,170 on average, from an hourly wage of $32.29. The state with the highest-paid sonographers pay sonographers as much as $100,000 annually. These numbers are better than the nationwide statistics of annual mean wage of $46,440 and a mean hourly wage of $22.33 (from the May 2013 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics).
How do I become a sonographer?
There are currently 203 schools that have sonogram technician accredited programs in the United States. These schools are not accredited, rather their programs in sonography are. Most of these schools offer sonography associate degree programs, the most popular kind of sonography program that is two years long. Other schools offer the other two kinds of programs – certificate and bachelor degree. The former takes 12 months to finish and the latter 4 years (a regular college course).
By taking a CAAHEP program, you are being given the highest standard of education in sonography in the country. CAAHEP is very strict when accrediting programs; it has to pass a rigorous screening process before it can even be considered for accreditation. Students who finish programs from accredited ultrasound tech schools can take the ARDMS certification exam immediately after.
Can I take sonography courses online?
There are accredited online programs in sonography available, but only by three schools – (1) Washburn University, (2) Jackson College, and (3) University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Online or distance education is a popular choice for students who are working or do not have the time or money to go to college. By enrolling in a distance education program, you are able to control your own schedule and your pace of learning. Schools usually give a deadline to finish the sonography program, from as soon as six months to four years.
If you plan on studying sonography, you see that there are over 200 colleges for sonography students available. Aside from great salary and job employment, you should want to be a sonographer above anything else. It is a profession where you will learn to care for patients beyond learning how to perform diagnostic procedures.
There are currently 203 schools that have sonogram technician accredited programs in the United States. These schools are not accredited, rather their programs in sonography are. Most of these schools offer sonography associate degree programs, the most popular kind of sonography program that is two years long. Other schools offer the other two kinds of programs – certificate and bachelor degree. The former takes 12 months to finish and the latter 4 years (a regular college course).
By taking a CAAHEP program, you are being given the highest standard of education in sonography in the country. CAAHEP is very strict when accrediting programs; it has to pass a rigorous screening process before it can even be considered for accreditation. Students who finish programs from accredited ultrasound tech schools can take the ARDMS certification exam immediately after.
Can I take sonography courses online?
There are accredited online programs in sonography available, but only by three schools – (1) Washburn University, (2) Jackson College, and (3) University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Online or distance education is a popular choice for students who are working or do not have the time or money to go to college. By enrolling in a distance education program, you are able to control your own schedule and your pace of learning. Schools usually give a deadline to finish the sonography program, from as soon as six months to four years.
If you plan on studying sonography, you see that there are over 200 colleges for sonography students available. Aside from great salary and job employment, you should want to be a sonographer above anything else. It is a profession where you will learn to care for patients beyond learning how to perform diagnostic procedures.