Faster-than-average employment growth is expected.
According to the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 26 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The University reviewed other institution’s academic offerings and determined that there is a need for these academic programs since there are no other programs of similar structure and offerings within a forty-mile radius.The job outlook for sonographers in Ohio is good. Approximately 2,490 sonographers are currently working in Ohio. This number is projected to increase to 2,880 by the year 2018. This indicates a 15 percent change in the number of sonographers in Ohio. Employment opportunities are favorable. In addition to job openings from growth, some openings will arise from the need to replace sonographers who retire or leave the occupation permanently for some other reason.
Additional job growth is expected as sonography becomes an increasingly attractive alternative to radiologic procedures, as patients seek safer treatment methods. Unlike most diagnostic imaging methods, sonography does not involve radiation, so harmful side effects and complications from repeated use are less likely for both the patient and the sonographer. Sonographic imaging is expected to evolve rapidly and to spawn many new sonography procedures, such as 3D- and 4D-sonography for use in obstetric and ophthalmologic diagnosis.
Hospitals will remain the principal employer of diagnostic medical sonographers. However, employment is expected to grow more rapidly in offices of physicians and in medical and diagnostic laboratories, including diagnostic imaging centers.