The average echocardiography salary is most affected by worker training and experience, and by the the location of employment and type of employer. Other factors may also influence how much echocardiographers are paid. These include the types of specializations the cardiac sonographer or echocardiographer may have.
It’s important to make a preliminary distinction in discussion of the field of echocardiography. Some cardiologists, who are licensed doctors, may bill themselves as echocardiologists. These individuals are likely to greatly exceed the usual echocardiography salary, which is often — as of the second decade of the 2000s — less than $100,000 US Dollars (USD). This amount is subject to change with time.
Echocardiographers, as opposed to echocardiologists, generally have received two to four years of college training. The level of training may create the first differential in worker pay. Individuals with four years of college often make more money than those with only two years of college training, though this can vary. Longer periods of training may allow workers to perform more complex procedures, such as assisting with transesophageal echos or working with the pediatric population. Ability to perform more complex work frequently translates to greater pay.
Additionally, in many cases, echocardiographers may require some type of certification in order to work. This isn’t always needed. It’s been demonstrated, though, that employees in this field tend to have higher salaries if they possess some recognized form of certification.
The length of the individual's experience may also affect an echocardiography salary. As in a number of fields, people with more experience tend to make more money. Beginners are likely to earn less, but as they develop more professional experience, they may bridge this gap.
In the US, there appear to be certain regions that are more likely to offer higher salaries. For example, California and states on the east coast, like New Jersey, may reward their echocardiography employees with higher pay. States that pay the least tend to be located in the South or the Midwest. There can be exceptions within each state, but on average, some regions will pay more than others for the same services, training, and experience. Also, other countries may have noted regional differences that affect rate of pay.
Employer types can also have an affect on echocardiography salary. Hospitals and doctor’s offices sometimes offer the most pay. Surprisingly, non-cardiology medical offices that hire these technicians may offer the greatest remuneration. It should be recalled that these are trends in echocardiography salary, and they are not necessarily reflective of each individual work placement.
