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Radiologic Technologist vs Sonographer: pay, jobs and what each takes
Radiologic technologists and sonographers side by side: what each earns by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and by the jobs open today, how many jobs there are, and the education and credentials each takes.
Radiologic Technologist vs Sonographer, side by side
| Radiologic technologist | Sonographer | |
|---|---|---|
| Open jobs on this board today | 10,383 | 3,693 |
| Median posted hourly pay (open jobs) | $43.83 | $48 |
| Median hourly pay (BLS, May 2025) | $38.52 | $46.44 |
| Median yearly pay (BLS) | $80,110 | $96,590 |
| Projected employment change (BLS, 2025-2035) | +5.0% | +13.9% |
| Openings a year (BLS) | 13,000 | 6,000 |
| Typical education to enter (BLS) | Associate's degree | Associate's degree |
| Credentials | ARRT certification in radiography (R) | Registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS) |
Radiologic Technologist vs Sonographer: common questions
Who makes more, a radiologic technologist or a sonographer?
Sonographers, by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025): a median of $46.44 an hour ($96,590 a year), against $38.52 ($80,110 a year) for radiologic technologists, $7.92 an hour more. The open jobs on this board today post medians of $43.83 an hour for radiologic technologists and $48 for sonographers.
Are there more radiologic technologist or sonographer jobs?
On this board today: 10,383 open radiologic technologist jobs and 3,693 sonographer jobs, read from each employer's own job board. BLS expects about 13,000 openings a year for radiologic technologists and 6,000 for sonographers, with employment changing +5.0% and +13.9% over 2025-2035.
What is the difference between a radiologic technologist and a sonographer?
Radiologic technologists position patients and take X-rays, in the emergency department, on hospital floors with portable machines, in surgery and in outpatient imaging centers. Sonographers use ultrasound to image the abdomen, pregnancy, breasts, blood vessels and the heart, in hospitals, imaging centers and doctors' offices.
How do you become a radiologic technologist or a sonographer?
An associate degree from an accredited radiography program, then the ARRT exam. (BLS: Associate's degree.) An associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited sonography program, then the ARDMS exams. (BLS: Associate's degree.) Each occupation's page lists its credentials and who grants them: Radiologic technologists, Sonographers.
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Sources and method
Pay and outlook are BLS's figures for each occupation's main SOC code; open jobs and their posted median are this board's, counted as each occupation's own page counts them.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) and Employment Projections (2025-2035)
- CareJobs.Now job board: open jobs read every night from each employer's own careers site
Cite this page
CareJobs.Now. (2026). Radiologic Technologist vs Sonographer: Pay, Jobs and Requirements Compared. Data as of 9 Nov 2026. https://carejobs.now/compare-careers/radiologic-technologist-vs-sonographer