patient having an x-ray

Medical sonographers

(NOC 32122)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$83,424
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
470

Career Overview

Medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of various parts of the body to aid physicians in monitoring pregnancies and in diagnosing cardiac, ophthalmic, vascular and other medical disorders.

Medical sonographers who are supervisors or instructors are included in this group.

Medical sonographers work in clinics and hospitals.

Duties

Medical sonographers:

  • Run ultrasound imaging equipment that transmits high frequency sound pulses through the body to produce images of those parts of the body needing examination
  • Monitor examination by viewing images on video screen to evaluate quality and consistency of diagnostic images
  • Make adjustments to equipment as needed
  • Record, store and process scanned images by using camera unit connected to ultrasound equipment
  • Make sure patients are safe and comfortable during examinations
  • Prepare examination reports for physicians to help monitor pregnancies and the diagnosis of cardiac, abdominal, ophthalmic, vascular and other disorders
  • Do quality control checks on ultrasound equipment to make sure they operate properly
  • Do minor repairs and adjustments to equipment as needed
  • May supervise and train student and other medical sonographers

Special duties

Medical sonographers may specialize in abdominal, cardiac, cerebral, obstetrical and gynaecological, ophthalmic, intraluminal or peripheral vascular sonography. They may also specialize in adult or pediatric echocardiography or neurosonology.

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$83,424

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$47.00/hr
Median$40.00/hr
Low$32.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

870

% Employed Full Time

67%
Source: 2021 Census

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

  • Work takes place in an indoor medical environment
  • Workers may be exposed to bacteria or viruses that could cause illness

Career Pathways

The Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers recognizes the certifying examinations of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Investigative
Investigative
Social
Social
Realistic
Realistic

Job Titles

Diagnostic medical sonography instructor
Medical sonographer
Medical sonographers supervisor
Registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS)
Ultrasound technologist

Education, Training and Skills

  • Completion of a three- to four-year program in diagnostic medical sonography or ultrasound technology
    or
    Completion of a two- to three-year program in a related allied health field and a one-year post-diploma program in diagnostic medical sonography from an accredited institution are required.
  • Registration with the Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound Professionals and/or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers is usually required by employers
  • Registration with l'Ordre des Technologues en Radiologie du Québec is required in Quebec

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Diagnostic Technology & Related
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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

72%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

68%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

68%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

68%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

62%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

62%
Time Management

Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

59%
Active Learning

Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.

59%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

56%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

56%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

870
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 20 2.3%
Kootenay 35 4.0%
Mainland/Southwest 560 64.7%
North Coast and Nechako 15 1.7%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 85 9.8%
Vancouver Island/Coast 150 17.3%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

470
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 10 0.4%
Kootenay 20 1.1%
Mainland/Southwest 320 2.0%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 40 1.7%
Vancouver Island/Coast 80 1.2%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Health Care And Social Assistance460
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services0
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources