Skip to content

Prototype—not an official NYS Department of Labor service

Start over

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

The short answer

Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 607 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.

How much AI could touch this job

Middleband 3 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 50% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

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

    AI could help, but needs extra software

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

    AI could help, but needs extra software

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

    AI could help, but needs extra software

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

    AI could help, but needs extra software

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

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

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

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

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

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. 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.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

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

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

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

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

    Very similar work
    slightly less pay1,048 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$101,221 vs your $106,825 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • English Language

    New skills to build

    • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Nuclear Medicine Technologists

    Very similar work
    +14% pay67 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 14% more—$121,970 vs your $106,825 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • English Language

    New skills to build

    • Chemistry
    • Biology
    • Mathematics
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

    Very similar work
    +9% pay243 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 9% more—$116,443 vs your $106,825 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • English Language
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression

    New skills to build

    • Public Safety and Security
  • Respiratory Therapists

    Very similar work
    +4% pay517 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 4% more—$110,829 vs your $106,825 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • English Language
    • Active Listening

    New skills to build

    • Chemistry
    • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Physician Assistants

    Very similar work
    +55% pay1,935 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 55% more—$165,381 vs your $106,825 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a master's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • English Language
    • Near Vision
    • Active Listening
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • Biology
    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Chemistry
    • Psychology
  • Radiation Therapists

    Similar work
    +25% pay64 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 25% more—$133,250 vs your $106,825 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • English Language
    • Oral Expression
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Written Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Therapy and Counseling