Diagnostic medical sonographers
SOC Code: 29-2032
Diagnostic medical sonographers carries a 48% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $89,340 and +13.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 90,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Diagnostic medical sonographers (SOC 29-2032) carries an AI exposure score of 48%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 90,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +13.0% change through 2034 — a strong growth outlook that compensates meaningfully for automation risk. Median annual compensation stands at $89,340, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Associate's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Diagnostic medical sonographers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
- 2. Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
- 3. Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
- 4. Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
- 5. Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.
- 6. Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
- 7. Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.
- 8. Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.
- 9. Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.
- 10. Maintain records that include patient information, sonographs and interpretations, files of correspondence, publications and regulations, or quality assurance records, such as pathology, biopsy, or post-operative reports.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Time Management
- Writing
- Science
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Physics
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Diagnostic medical sonographers?
Diagnostic medical sonographers has an AI exposure score of 48%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Diagnostic medical sonographers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow by 13.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 90,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Diagnostic medical sonographers?
Key skills for Diagnostic medical sonographers include Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Associate's degree.
How much do Diagnostic medical sonographers earn?
The median annual wage for Diagnostic medical sonographers is $89,340, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Diagnostic medical sonographers?
The typical entry-level education for Diagnostic medical sonographers is Associate's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Diagnostic medical sonographers?
Diagnostic medical sonographers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).