Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, operate special imaging equipment to create images or to conduct tests. The images and test results help physicians assess and diagnose medical conditions. Some technologists assist physicians and surgeons during surgical procedures.

Most diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, work full time. Most diagnostic imaging workers were employed in hospitals in 2014, while most others worked in physician’s offices and medical and diagnostic laboratories.

Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, need formal education, such as an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Many employers also require professional certification.

Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, is projected to grow 24 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. As imaging technology evolves, medical facilities will continue to use ultrasound to replace more invasive, costly procedures.

This occupation supported 110,400 jobs in 2012 and 112,700 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 2.1%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 38.8% in 2022 to 153,200 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 118,900, compared with an observed value of 112,700, 5.2% lower than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 24.9% in 2024 to 140,200 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 161,700 jobs for 2024, 15.3% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.