The ultrasound technician salary has been increasing over the last few years. This is due to the rapidly expanding health care industry in the United States. It is no secret that the US government spends the vast majority of it’s budget on medical care. With the aging 
population and rise in medical awareness, the ultrasound technician salary and benefits will continue to grow. This guide will give you a better understanding on the field of ultrasound.
Ultrasound technicians are professionals who use x-rays, radiation and high sound frequencies in order to create detailed visuals of bones, tissues and blood and in return are payed an ultrasound technician salary. The ultrasound technician and the patient are required to wear protective clothing in order to prevent harmful radiation and particles from piercing through the body. Once the images have been created, they can then be used to treat patients. Doctors and the technicians themselves will go over them and make a diagnoses. It is a detail oriented job, but it comes with very good benefits. Not only is the ultrasound technician salary great, but this is also a career that requires less education than a lot of the other health care careers. The high ultrasound technician salary range is only one of the many reasons to consider this career choice.
Ultrasound Technician Salary
The ultrasound technician salary will vary based on the amount of job experience and where you live in the county. The average ultrasound technician salary today earns $65,000 a year. The ultrasound technician salary is over $20,000 of what the average American worker makes putting the ultrasound technician in a high status position. This also includes a solid benefits plan which should include full health and dental coverage for the technician and their family and a strong retirement program such as penchant or dollar matching 401k plan. Vacation time and sick days are negotiated between you and your employer.
Ultrasound Technician Education Requirements
Educational institutions and colleges offer courses, degrees, programs, and certificates in Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound Programs to help fill the increasing need for more trained professionals. Technicians can expect to graduate in a twenty-four month period or even sooner and can expect a lucrative ultrasound technician salary, if you have extra time and can double up on courses. According to the US Labor Department statistics, employment of diagnostic medical sonogram technicians as well as the ultrasound technician salary is expected to increase in demand and grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2013 and will rapidly begin expanding after the year 2016 when the Health Care Bill comes into full effect.
Ultrasound Technician Work Environment
Generally, the work environment of an ultrasound tech is not stressful. Most will end up working in hospitals or large clinics while some of the more veteran techs will work in private medical practices. Technicians work a usual 40 hour work-week with the option of different shifts to earn your ultrasound technician salary. You may have to work overtime but this is not a common practice. Ultrasound technicians tend to work alone and must be able to deal with patients one on one. They are required to instruct the patients through the procedures and keep them feeling at ease. This can be stressful if they have just come from the trauma unit and need to check for broken bones. The need for good interpersonal skills is greatest here if this is your specialization. However, there are many different specializations to choose from.
Becoming an ultrasound technician is a career endeavor and should not be entered into without serious thought and a mentality that you intend to do this for the rest of your life. You will have to pay for school with your own money and make the time to study for exams. However, once you graduate you are almost guaranteed to land a good job and a great ultrasound technician salary as the need for good ultrasound techs is out-pacing current graduating classes. Remember that with a little hard work and commitment upfront will lead to lifetime of happiness in a career.