Jobs Similar to Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to diagnostic medical sonographers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians and Radiologic Technologists and Technicians.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: $96,590 median pay · usual preparation: Training or associate.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nuclear Medicine TechnologistsSame group | 82% | $101,370+5% | Training or associate |
| 2 | Cardiovascular Technologists and TechniciansSame group | 82% | $74,310−23% | Training or associate |
| 3 | Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansSame group | 82% | $80,110−17% | Training or associate |
| 4 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsSame group | 80% | $95,480−1% | Training or associate |
| 5 | Respiratory Therapists | 79% | $82,280−15% | Training or associate |
| 6 | Radiation Therapists | 79% | $105,310+9% | Training or associate |
| 7 | Anesthesiologist Assistants | 78% | $135,880Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Radiologists | 78% | $420,860+336% | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansSame group | 77% | $47,380−51% | Training or associate |
| 10 | Surgical Assistants | 76% | $66,800−31% | Training or associate |
| 11 | Nurse Anesthetists | 76% | $236,590+145% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | Ophthalmic Medical TechnologistsSame group | 75% | $50,290Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 13 | Neurodiagnostic TechnologistsSame group | 75% | $50,290Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 14 | Surgical TechnologistsSame group | 74% | $64,650−33% | Training or associate |
| 15 | Dental Hygienists | 74% | $98,100+2% | Training or associate |
| 16 | Endoscopy Technicians | 74% | $48,430Broader BLS group · not compared | High school |
| 17 | Ophthalmic Medical TechniciansSame group | 73% | $45,570−53% | Training or associate |
| 18 | Dental Assistants | 73% | $48,070−50% | Training or associate |
| 19 | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | 72% | $38,150−61% | High school |
| 20 | ParamedicsSame group | 71% | $60,600−37% | Training or associate |
- 1Nuclear Medicine Technologists
82% similar · $101,370 (+5%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 2Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
82% similar · $74,310 (−23%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 3Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
82% similar · $80,110 (−17%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 4Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
80% similar · $95,480 (−1%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 5Respiratory Therapists
79% similar · $82,280 (−15%) · Training or associate
- 6Radiation Therapists
79% similar · $105,310 (+9%) · Training or associate
- 7Anesthesiologist Assistants
78% similar · $135,880 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 8Radiologists
78% similar · $420,860 (+336%) · Graduate degree
- 9Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
77% similar · $47,380 (−51%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 10Surgical Assistants
76% similar · $66,800 (−31%) · Training or associate
- 11Nurse Anesthetists
76% similar · $236,590 (+145%) · Graduate degree
- 12Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
75% similar · $50,290 (broader group) · Training or associate · Same group
- 13Neurodiagnostic Technologists
75% similar · $50,290 (broader group) · Training or associate · Same group
- 14Surgical Technologists
74% similar · $64,650 (−33%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 15Dental Hygienists
74% similar · $98,100 (+2%) · Training or associate
- 16Endoscopy Technicians
74% similar · $48,430 (broader group) · High school
- 17Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
73% similar · $45,570 (−53%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 18Dental Assistants
73% similar · $48,070 (−50%) · Training or associate
- 19Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
72% similar · $38,150 (−61%) · High school
- 20Paramedics
71% similar · $60,600 (−37%) · Training or associate · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than diagnostic medical sonographers.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for diagnostic medical sonographers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where diagnostic medical sonographers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
Questions about jobs like diagnostic medical sonographers
What jobs are most similar to diagnostic medical sonographers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Nuclear Medicine Technologists (82% similar), Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians (82% similar), Radiologic Technologists and Technicians (82% similar), Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (80% similar) and Respiratory Therapists (79% similar).
Which jobs like diagnostic medical sonographers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Radiologists ($420,860, +336%; usually a graduate degree), Nurse Anesthetists ($236,590, +145%; usually a graduate degree) and Radiation Therapists ($105,310, +9%; usually training or an associate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with diagnostic medical sonographers ($96,590). Without more preparation than diagnostic medical sonographers usually need: Radiation Therapists, Nuclear Medicine Technologists and Dental Hygienists.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.