Vascular Sonography

Vascular sonographers are specialist Diagnostic Medical Sonographers that perform noninvasive diagnostic methods on the heart, similar to Cardiovascular Technicians. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes vascular sonography as a cardiovascular technician specialization, but the vascular sonographer actually acts as a median between diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technicians by bringing the technologies from both industries together.

Vascular Sonography Salary Information

The median annual salary of the cardiovascular technician, the vascular sonographer’s Bureau of Labor Statistics counterpart, was approximately $47,000 in 2008. Salaries ranged from as low as $28,000, to as high as $75,000 or more. Though they do not report direct figures for vascular sonographer salary ranges, the numbers for the cardiovascular technician serve as a good approximation of their true earning levels.

Education, Training and Qualifications

The aspiring vascular sonographer is encouraged to look at the training and qualifications for diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technicians as examples of the type of requirements that are necessary to break into the field. These same educational programs may lead to a career in vascular sonography, with the appropriate specialization. Alternatively, some sonography schools that offer training programs in diagnostic medical sonography also have courses in vascular sonography.

Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected an 18 percent growth for sonographers in the health care industry and a 24 percent growth for cardiovascular technologists over the decade spanning from 2008 to 2018, meaning that employment opportunities for sonographers should be quite easily accessible. There should also be great opportunities to advance within the field, by taking over growing teams of sonographers as a manager.

Career Advancement

Since vascular sonographers are already considered a specialty position, advancement is typically only found by pursuing managerial positions. However, as mentioned above, the explosive projected growth in this industry is likely to create quite a few managerial openings, offering those who break into the field early enough with excellent avenues for career and salary improvements.

Learn More

To learn more about available vascular sonography training programs, please fill out our “Find a School” widget on the top left hand side of this page. Or, if you’re looking for more detailed information about the field of sonography, or entry level educational opportunities, please visit our resource page on Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree Programs.