Millions of people die from heart disease every year in the USA, making it one of the leading causes of death. Every 1 in 5 deaths happen due to heart issues, which is roughly 695,000 people per year. Thus, the huge numbers affecting the mortality rate in the USA call for medical professionals specializing in cardiology and cardiovascular disease. One such profession is cardiac sonographer. 

They are also known as echocardiography technologists, responsible for assessing and diagnosing cardiac issues via ultrasound imaging modality. Accurate diagnosis is essential, especially when working with such an important yet delicate organ. There is certainly no room for error. Their crucial role gives sonographer tech jobs great value and demand. The career prospect is very promising with a competitive cardiac sonographer salary, several growth paths, and additional certification opportunities. 

Considering a career as a cardiac sonographer can open many doors for diverse opportunities. Being a cardiac sonographer is not only rewarding but also a great way of serving mankind. However, understanding salary expectations, job demand, additional qualification requirements, and potential career paths are all essential elements that you must weigh before jumping right into it. 

How to Become a Cardiac Sonographer? 

Certified cardiac sonographer jobs require you to complete your formal medical degree, along with a certification examination. Here’s the complete process:

1. The first step is to earn your formal medical degree, for which you have two options. You can go for an associate degree of 2 years in diagnostic medical sonography, which is the most common way. However, you can also earn a bachelor’s degree of 4 years specializing in echocardiography for a more expanded path. This will give a more competitive edge for future advancements.
2. After completing your formal education, you need to pass a certification exam from any recognized accreditation body, which includes:
   1. American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography— clearing the exam offered by ARDMS certifies medical professionals with the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) credential.
   2. Cardiovascular Credentialing International— medical professionals clearing CCI exams become Registered Cardiac Sonographers (RCS).
   3. American Registry of Radiologic Technologists— sonography crosses paths with radiology imaging. Hence, the primary credits for radiologic technologists— ARRT can offer additional credits to cardiac sonographers’ portfolio, providing them a competitive edge in the medical industry. 
3. After completing the certification exam, you must complete clinical hours to acquire your certificate. Most programs require around 1,100 clinical hours to become a certified cardiac sonographer. Finally, you will enter the workforce as a clinical intern for up to 12 months and gain hands-on experience under supervision.  
4. Once done with your internship, you’ll get your certificate and start your search for sonographer tech jobs near me or travel assignments. 

Where to Find Cardiac Sonographer Jobs and Growth Opportunities

Now, as a newly certified/registered cardiac sonographer, you must be on the lookout for a suitable job or for an experienced professional, growth opportunity. Sonography, also known as ultrasound, is the most basic imaging modality. However, combined with a specialization in cardiology, this simple job becomes much more. 

Ultrasound tech jobs are commonly found in hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers. But cardiac sonographer jobs are also available in specialty cardiology clinics, cardiac recovery centers, and specialized medical facilities. You can also look for travel assignments for more flexibility and better working hours. However, if you don’t have any luck finding a suitable hospitalist job placement, a healthcare staffing agency can offer you the necessary help.

Cardiac sonography has a stable job outlook with a strong and promising career prospect. Echocardiographers are offered good job security with competitive salaries. The increasing prevalence of cardiac issues in the USA has significantly raised the demand for cardiac specialists, including cardiac sonographers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment rate of diagnostic medical cardiac sonographers, cardiovascular technologists, and ultrasound tech jobs are projected to grow by 11% in the coming decade by 2033. 

Cardiac Sonographer Salary Expectations

After understanding the career path, job outlook, and numerous opportunities, you must be wondering how much do ultrasound techs make? An ultrasound tech salary, especially for cardiac sonographers, can vary based on several factors. How much experience they have, the location of employment, the demand of the job, and additional certifications are all elements that determine a cardiac sonographer salary. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average cardiac sonographer salary in the United States is around $80,850 per year. However, it can reach up to $100,000 annually in some metropolitan areas due to high demand.

The cardiac sonographer salary progression is as follows:

• 25th percentile cardiac sonographer salary: Newly graduated cardiac sonographers or professionals in areas with less demand usually make around $65,000 per year or $31 per hour.
• 75th percentile cardiac sonographer salary: Although the average goes around $89,646 annually, most experienced cardiac sonographer jobs can maximize their earnings up to $103,000 annually as they progress in their career with enough experience.
• Top earners cardiac sonographer salary: The most prestigious medical institutes are often where cardiac sonographers can earn much more than average. The top cardiac sonographer salary can go up to $139,000 per year in some states and metropolitan areas with a high demand for cardiac specialists. 
• Cardiologist sonographer salary: As you progress in your career and meet the qualification criteria, becoming a cardiologist can offer excellent financial benefits. In the US, a cardiologist sonographer salary can go up to $357,482, giving an increase of 298.8% over the average cardiac sonographer salary. 

Career Paths for Cardiac Sonography Jobs

There are several career paths you can take starting as a cardiac sonographer. Each path offers diverse growth opportunities for a fulfilling and rewarding career. 

• Your first option to further specialize in a specific domain, such as fetal cardiac sonography, pediatric echography, stress echocardiography, etc. These specific specializations will enhance your earning potential. 
• Another option is to go for leadership or supervision roles within the radiology or cardiology domain. This role will allow you to lead the entire team of ultrasound technicians. However, you’ll need additional experience and qualifications to pursue this path. 
• A diverse yet very rewarding path is diverging toward education. Universities and medical colleges often have educator or trainer positions available. Here, you can either train upcoming cardiac sonographers or take a path toward research for contributions in the field. 
• Advanced clinical roles in medical device companies also offer diverse roles to medical professionals for testing their products. This is another interesting path you can take for more standard working hours. 

Final Thoughts 

Cardiac sonography career offers diverse growth opportunities with a great job outlook. An ultrasound tech salary, more specifically a cardiac sonographer salary, is very competitive with many financial benefits. However, the best way to maximize your earnings and growth is to gain experience and pursue further specializations in specific cardiac areas or go for leadership or supervisory roles. Travel assignments are another great opportunity with better earning potential. 

Echocardiography is a great career path in the medical industry. So, if you are considering starting your journey as a cardiac sonographer, this is your time. Connect with the best healthcare staffing agency and find the perfect cardiac sonography job with the best expectations for cardiac sonography salary!