The average salary of an ultrasound technician is $64,000 and is expected to see a rise in the recent future. philipsprobemachines Sonography was ranked as one of the top ten paying jobs for everyone with an associates degree by CNN in the year 2006. During that time, the average salary for an ultrasound tech was $52,490. This shows that the salary is going to see a rise by a few thousand dollars in the next few years. As you can see that there has been an increase of about $10,000 in this time period. This just proves that there isn’t a better time if you want to kick start a career as an ultrasound technician in the healthcare industry. It may be possible that some states do not have as many job openings or you may have to end up working as part-time technician in the beginning but that does not change the fact that there is enough room for enormous growth and advancement in this field is something that is palpable at the moment.
It is not that the salary of an ultrasound technician is the same all over the country. The range of salary varies by employer, experience and the region in which the person is doing a job. If two people are working in the same region but one works in the private sector and the other in public, the salary will vary depending on what their employer is willing to pay. Salaries vary from one state to another as well. If you are a new graduate then your journey as an ultrasound tech will start off with you receiving a base payment. If you have many certifications that prove that you are an ultrasound tech then your pay will increase very quickly.
Once you start your job as an ultrasound tech for the first time, the pay can be as low as $16 an hour. The lowest range of pay falls to $44,000 per annum. When an ultrasound tech is has completed a few years at the job then his pay ranges about $64,900 per annum. Technicians who have reached the top rung of the ladder are paid around $88,000 per annum. This shows that experience can make a lot of difference in the pay you receive as an ultrasound tech. along with experience, earning further certifications from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonoraphy also helps to boost your salary when your employer conducts a performance review on your job.How can there be an increase in your salary?
The growth in your salary also depends the kind of facility that you are working for and the kind of work that you are putting in. If you and your friend are doing the same job but she puts in lesser hours and does not give in as much input as you then it would not be fair for her to receive similar increments in salary as you. Salary increments only take place once the employer is sure that the technician is working hard enough to receive that pay. If an ultrasound technician has just started his job then he will have to face yearly performance reviews to evaluate the kind of work he is doing and the kind of work he is capable of doing.
The more certifications you have, the better salary you will be given. It is not uncommon that an ultrasound tech has five or more certifications.philipsprobemachines This allows them to be more flexible in the kind of work they are required to do and they can be one of the top candidates in case they decide to move somewhere else.What to expect when you are first starting the job?
When you have just finished graduation and are applying for a job as an ultrasound technician, it is best that you do not negotiate on your salary. This is the time when you should grab the opportunity with both hands and involve yourself in the work. You should ensure that your training shows in the work you do. You should be capable of delivering high quality work so that the employers themselves realize that you are worth much more than they have been offering you.
In case you already have a job somewhere else then it is a different thing. In the market there is high demand for ultrasound technicians. Sonography is something that is required in many areas except hospitals. It is not unusual for a new ultrasound technician to be able to earn $75,000 per annum even though they lack years of experience. You will be in high demand if you have a lot to offer and if you maintain a wonderful record. Employers will happily offer you job opportunities and ensure that you are paid well and that you enjoy a benefits package for all that you bring with you.
Along with having further certifications, achieving higher degrees are also responsible in increasing your pay. Pursuing a bachelors or a masters degree is something that can boost your salary. Usually an ultrasound technician is expected to work with patients, these degrees maybe responsible from taking you away from your patients but they will also create better job opportunities for you so that you can look at a brighter future.
If you have just started a career as a technician or you have been working for quite sometime in the field, one way to attract more attention towards you is by word of mouth. Ensuring that your reputation precedes you is something that can help you expand. Networking is one factor that will open more doors for you. It depends upon you whether or not the word of mouth will be positive. You need to give 100% input into the work and ensure that you pursue what you are doing with enough zeal that people look up to you and wish to work with you. Do not be afraid to ask for advice if need be but also have the manners to take the advice and work on it positively.How can you get a job after you have finished training?
Once you start off with the training as an ultrasound technician, you will notice that you like one area better than the other. You should ensure that you are connecting well with the teachers, your student counterparts and other people in the training process. Inform them about your preferences and let them guide you. It may be that one of them wishes to hire you for themselves. A lot of graduates have job opportunities even before they have graduated from their school or college. If these people are not looking to hire then they might contact someone they know who wants to hire a technician. Maintaining a good reputation will allow you to talk to more people and that will open more doors for you when you need it the most.
This does not mean that even though some graduates easily bag jobs that you will too. Even if you come first in your class, you may take some time to come across a job that suits your needs. Even though opportunities in this field are excellent, lading a full time permanent job is not an easy task. In such a case, stay positive and believe in yourself. Do not give up as that will become the reason why you did not get employed.
In case you cannot find a job there are a few things that you can do to get one. You can do some volunteer work at your schools and offer to tutor students. Once you have proved that you are dedicated to your field, it will help provide job opportunities for you. During an interview, showing that you have done some volunteer work will stand out. If you practice in teaching then you can also go on to pursue higher qualifications and teach more and more students. You can demand a high salary also if you plan to do this.
Do not be overconfident when you are applying for your first job. That always ends up putting a person in the backseat. Even though your grades are high, you should know that you were only a student up till now. You need to go a long way before you can become an experienced technician. Even after you have finished years on the job, you are always learning.
With the advent in the medical industry, newer opportunities and newer graduates will always come. Staying focused and doing what you do in the best manner possible, will differentiate you from everyone else in the crowd.
