Sonographer

O*NET: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers·29-2032.00

The Verdict:Ultrasound scanning is entirely hands-on — pressing a transducer to the patient, adjusting angle and pressure in real time, adapting to each person's unique anatomy and motion. AI enhances image review and analysis but cannot perform the physical acquisition. Clinical demand is expanding with aging populations, securing the role's future.

Resilience Score

/100

Highly Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$89k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+13%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 3 of 20 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

15%

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role's core work is hard to automate.
10 of 20 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 35% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.

3exposed

7AI leverage

10human-essential

View all 20 tasks

AI Can Handle This3 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Maintain records that include patient information, sonographs and interpretations, files of correspondence, publications and regulations, or quality assurance records, such as pathology, biopsy, or post-operative reports.

Perform clerical duties, such as scheduling exams or special procedures, keeping records, or archiving computerized images.

Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures.

AI Leverage7 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.

Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.

Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.

Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment.

Perform legal and ethical duties, including preparing safety or accident reports, obtaining written consent from patient to perform invasive procedures, or reporting symptoms of abuse or neglect.

Maintain stock and supplies, preparing supplies for special examinations and ordering supplies when necessary.

Process and code film from procedures and complete appropriate documentation.

Human Advantage10 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.

Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.

Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.

Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.

Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly.

Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.

Coordinate work with physicians or other healthcare team members, including providing assistance during invasive procedures.

Clean, check, and maintain sonographic equipment, submitting maintenance requests or performing minor repairs as necessary.

Supervise or train students or other medical sonographers.

Perform medical procedures, such as administering oxygen, inserting and removing airways, taking vital signs, or giving emergency treatment, such as first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Resilience Landscape

Sonographer lands in Stable & Well-Paid

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