Sonography is considered to be a well-compensated field in the health care industry with salaries on par with registered nurses. I’m not going to tell you what you can expect in salary; that depends on the area of the country and the type of position taken. What you should know is how and where to get that information. Any school should have information on the salary expectations of their immediate surrounding area. This may not be as helpful if you are planning to move to another area when finished with your education.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides limited information as to the median salary of all sonographers, regardless of education, registries and location. This information is again helpful but remember to keep those three factors in mind when determining what you may expect in your first employment setting.

Before going after that first Sonography position, you will again need to research what you should expect in compensation. When negotiating a compensation and benefits package, know what is reasonable and fair. You do not want to low-ball yourself, but you also do not want to price yourself way out of the market. It pays to know before you talk to a prospective employer. The SDMS publishes a salary survey every few years and this information is available to all members.