Ultrasoundjobs.com Salary and Satisfaction Survey
Purpose of the Study
One of the problems facing anyone in a job search is determining the rate of pay. Understanding the current rate of pay in an area is one way in which the sonographer or vascular technologist can feel comfortable when negotiating a salary.
Likewise, human resource professionals need to know the current rate of pay for these positions. The American Hospital Association in their Workforce Survey Results (June 2001), lists the vacancy rate for radiologic technologists as 18%. Although no specific studies have measured the vacancy rate for ultrasound, anecdotal conversations and e-mails would suggest that a high vacancy rate also exists for sonographers. As the shortage of sonographers and vascular technologists continues, human resource departments can use this information to help structure a salary that is realistic and attractive to prospective candidates.
Job satisfaction, a complex affective phenomenon, has been extensively studied among nurses. However, very few studies have examined the components of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction among sonographers and vascular technologists. This unique survey asks about job issues that have not been measured and published before. It asked questions about satisfaction/dissatisfaction, issues relating to relocation, defining the perfect job, etc. The goal was to provide human resources professionals with information that may help guide job descriptions or suggest improvements to working conditions.
Who was Included in this Study?
When the survey closed, 2057 ultrasound professionals had responded. Following are some of the demographic variables of this population:
Principal
place of employment:
(Self-employed respondents were excluded from all tabulations)
| Hospital (less than 100 beds) |
7.7% |
| Hospital (101 – 350 beds) |
30.8% |
| Hospital (more than 350 beds) |
24.0% |
| Imaging Center |
9.9% |
| Travel/Temporary Service |
2.6% |
| Education |
1.9% |
| Private Office |
19.0% |
| Ultrasound Manufacturer |
0.7% |
| Mobile |
3.0% |
| Self-employed |
0.4% |
Number of years in field:
| Less than one year |
7.4% |
| One to three years |
16.6% |
| Four to six years |
16.5% |
| Seven to nine years |
11.7% |
| 10 – 14 years |
20.5% |
| 15 – 20 years |
14.5% |
| More than 20 years |
12.9% |
Are you ARDMS registered?
| Yes |
82.1% |
| No |
17.9% |
What Will this Study Tell Me?
We believe this study is important for human resource professionals and administrators to understand the current salaries of ultrasound professionals, the satisfaction and dissatisfaction with their environment, and elements that may make one job seem more attractive than the other.
The Results Section contains tables and analysis specific to staff sonographers/vascular technologists. There are 16 salary and benefit tables, 10 tables related to salary satisfaction, 4 tables that address job satisfaction (including defining the perfect job, and measuring the intention to quit). Finally, there are two tables that measure the distance sonographers/vascular technologists are willing to relocate.
The Discussion Section covers the following areas: demographics, professional status, job characteristics, attitudinal components, intention to quit and implications.
The following sections are included in the report:
- Introduction and Purpose
- Method
- Results
- Discussion
- Appendix A: Survey Instrument
-
Appendix B: Hourly and Monthly Wages for Positions Other than Staff
-
Appendix C: Hourly Wages for Part-Time Staff
-
Appendix D: Wages of Canadian Employees
Copyright © 2002 by Ultrasoundjobs.com. All Rights Reserved.