32122 – Medical sonographers
Lead statement
Medical sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of various parts of the body to aid physicians in monitoring pregnancies and in diagnosing cardiac, ophthalmic, vascular and other medical disorders. Medical sonographers who are supervisors or instructors are included in this unit group.
Main duties
- Operate ultrasound imaging equipment that transmits high frequency sound pulses through the body to produce images of those parts of the body requiring examination
- Monitor examination by viewing images on video screen, to evaluate quality and consistency of diagnostic images, and make adjustments to equipment, as required
- Record, store and process scanned images by using camera unit connected to ultrasound equipment
- Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure patient safety and comfort
- Prepare examination reports for physicians to aid in the monitoring of pregnancies and the diagnosis of cardiac, abdominal, ophthalmic, vascular and other disorders
- Perform quality control checks on ultrasound equipment to ensure proper operation and perform minor repairs and adjustments as required
- May supervise and train students and other medical sonographers.
Employment requirements
- Completion of a three- to four-year program in diagnostic medical sonography or ultrasound technologyorcompletion of a two- to three-year program in a related allied health field and a one-year post-diploma program in diagnostic medical sonography from an accredited institution are required.
- Registration with Sonography Canada and/or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers is usually required by employers.
- Registration with l'Ordre des technologues en imagerie médicale, en radio-oncologie et en électrophysiologie médicale du Québec is required in Quebec.
- Registration with the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario (CMRTO) is required in Ontario.
Example job titles
adult echocardiographer · cardiac ultrasound technologist · cardiac sonographer · echocardiographer · echocardiography technologist · chief diagnostic medical sonographer · diagnostic cardiac sonographer · diagnostic medical sonographer · diagnostic ultrasound technologist - medical · diagnostic medical sonography instructor · medical sonographer · pediatric echocardiographer · registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer · registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS) · cardiac ultrasound technician · echocardiography technician · registered ultrasound technologist · student medical sonographer · student sonographer - medical · ultrasound supervisor · medical sonographers supervisor · ultrasonography technician · ultrasound technician · echography technician · ultrasonography technologist · ultrasonographer - medical · sonography technologist · ultrasound technologist · echography technologist · diagnostic ultrasound supervisor · vascular sonographer · diagnostic echography technician · diagnostic ultrasonography technician · diagnostic ultrasound technician · sonographer - medical · echocardiography technologist sonographer · medical imaging technologist - ultrasound
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $34.90 | $42.00 | $51.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $33.44 | $42.70 | $48.72 |
| Nova Scotia | $29.56 | $39.01 | $45.30 |
| New Brunswick | $30.31 | $37.23 | $43.72 |
| Quebec | $29.47 | $38.50 | $45.70 |
| Ontario | $35.00 | $41.00 | $48.08 |
| Manitoba | $39.21 | $41.70 | $46.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $33.55 | $44.07 | $52.52 |
| Alberta | $38.46 | $46.00 | $55.65 |
| British Columbia | $35.00 | $44.41 | $50.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.