Diagnostic Medical Sonographers vs Respiratory Therapists
Median pay is about $14k higher for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Both usually start with the same education: associate's.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | Respiratory Therapists |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $96,590, higher | $82,280 |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $80,430, higher | $74,520 |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $106,930, higher | $98,730 |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | +14% Growing fast, higher | +8.5% Growing fast |
| Openings a year | 6,000 | 8,600 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | Associate's | Associate's |
| Difficulty modeled | 2.8 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | Moderate | Low |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 14th pct | 41st pct |
Skills
Both lean on the same top skills: active listening, reading comprehension, speaking, critical thinking, monitoring, active learning.
More comparisons
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.