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
(2024-2034)
560

Career Overview

Medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to complete an investigation, producing and recording images of various parts of the body to help physicians diagnose cardiac, vascular and other medical disorders. They work in clinics and hospitals.

Medical sonographers who are supervisors, educators and researchers are included in this group.

Job Titles

Adult echocardiographer
Cardiac sonographer
Cardiac ultrasound technician
Cardiac ultrasound technologist
Chief diagnostic medical sonographer
Diagnostic cardiac sonographer
Diagnostic echography technician
Diagnostic medical sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonography instructor
Diagnostic ultrasonography technician
Diagnostic ultrasound supervisor
Diagnostic ultrasound technician
Diagnostic ultrasound technologist - medical
Echocardiographer
Echocardiography technician
Echocardiography technologist
Echocardiography technologist sonographer
Echography technician
Echography technologist
Medical imaging technologist - ultrasound
Medical sonographer
Medical sonographers supervisor
Pediatric echocardiographer
Registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer
Registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS)
Registered ultrasound technologist
Sonographer - medical
Sonography technologist
Student medical sonographer
Student sonographer - medical
Ultrasonographer - medical
Ultrasonography technician
Ultrasonography technologist
Ultrasound supervisor
Ultrasound technician
Ultrasound technologist
Vascular sonographer

Duties

In general, medical sonographers:

  • Complete ultrasound assessments while producing diagnostic images and measurements
  • Monitor and evaluate the quality and consistency of the diagnostic images
  • Make sure patients are safe and comfortable during examinations
  • Prepare preliminary reports of examination findings for interpreting physicians
  • Assist with invasive and non-invasive interventional procedures such as biopsies and drainages
  • Perform sonography related administrative tasks and duties
  • Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team
  • Ensure equipment is meeting safety standards and identify any repairs or adjustments needed
  • May supervise and train medical sonographers and other health care professionals such as radiology and obstetric residents

There are three areas of accreditation in medical sonography:

  • A generalist sonographer is certified to examine the abdomen, male and female pelvis, peripheral veins (for blood clots), thyroid and scrotum
  • A cardiac sonographer is certified to examine cardiac anatomy and function
  • A vascular sonographer is certified to examine the abdominal vessels, arteries and veins of the head, neck and upper and lower limbs

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$35.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2024 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

870

% Employed Full Time

67%
Source: 2021 Census

Medical sonographers interact directly with patients in hospitals or clinics. Work takes place in an indoor medical environment.

Sonography is a physically demanding profession and can often lead to musculoskeletal injury. Medical sonographers may be exposed to bacteria or viruses that could cause illness.

Career Pathways

With education, experience and training, medical sonographers can expand their expertise to pediatrics, neonatal/pediatric echocardiography, musculoskeletal (bones, joints, ligaments, tendons), breast, neurosonology (brain) and high-risk obstetrics.

Sonographers may also become department leads, supervisors, educators, researchers, application specialists (experts in sonographic machines) or sales representatives with medical equipment companies. 

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

Education, Training and Skills

Medical sonographers trained in B.C.:

  • Must complete a diagnostic medical sonography or ultrasound technology program from an accredited Canadian institution
  • May need credential(s) from Sonography Canada

Medical sonography programs vary in both prerequisites needed and delivery formats, so it is best to research several to determine which is best suited to each student’s needs.

Sonography is not a regulated health profession in B.C., which means each employer determines its hiring requirements. Typically, employers’ requirements align with the provincial diagnostic accreditation program standards and most jobs require accreditation through Sonography Canada or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).

For internationally trained medical sonographers whose employers require credential(s) from Sonography Canada, a written exam and clinical skills assessment may be needed as part of an alternate pathway to practising in B.C.

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

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 (2024-2034)

560
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 (2024-2034)

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 10 1.4%
Kootenay 20 1.1%
Mainland/Southwest 370 2.2%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 40 2.0%
Vancouver Island/Coast 120 2.3%
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 (2024-2034)
Health Care and Social Assistance550
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

Medical sonographers are in demand in B.C. due to vacancies and a growing demand for ultrasound examinations in patient care. This career ranks highly in job security and opportunities to grow into a full range of skills and abilities.

Being a medical sonographer is a physically demanding profession which can often lead to work related musculoskeletal injury. Up to 90 percent of medical sonographers experience injury symptoms during their career. 

Resources