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Sonography Technicians
What do Sonography Technicians do in the Military?
Where do Sonography Technicians work?
Sonography technicians work in hospitals and clinics. In combat situations, they may work in mobile field hospitals. They follow strict safety procedures to minimize exposure to radiation.
How much do they make?
Median Military Salary
This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.
Note that the median salary does not include bonuses, special pays, health or dental benefits — which are a standard part of military compensation.
This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.
Note that the median salary does not include bonuses, special pays, health or dental benefits — which are a standard part of military compensation.
$107,887
Military Salary Range
This is the range based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location.
Note that the median salary does not include bonuses, special pays, health or dental benefits — which are a standard part of military compensation.
This is the range based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location.
Note that the median salary does not include bonuses, special pays, health or dental benefits — which are a standard part of military compensation.
$30,553 - $356,274
How Military Pay is More Than Just a Salary
Base pay is the standard income you'll earn as a service member, providing a stable foundation to start achieving your financial goals.
- Set based on rank and years of service.
- Paid every month.
Allowances are additional payments to help cover living expenses like housing and food.
- Tax-free payments.
- Varies by location and family status.
Special pay provides extra compensation for unique skills, hazardous duties, or challenging assignments.
- Based on specialized roles.
- Varies by position and duty.
Navy Sonar Technician – ST
If you can’t see us, we’re doing our job. As an ST, you gather intel through advanced sonar technology that few people on the planet have ever used. You quietly detect, track and classify contacts from surface ships or subs, using the immense range to listen for anything from ships to marine life. Process and share critical information with response teams to keep us alert and safe at sea. As a Sonar Technician, it is your job to find what doesn’t want to be found.
Transcription
[Dolphins whistling]
[Whale song]
Voiceover:
We’re pretty much the eyes and ears of the boat. I’m passively listening to what’s out in the water. There’s STGs, which are on surface ships, and STSs on submarines. We detect, track and classify contacts. It might be the most important way of tracking. Radar can’t go under the water. So if there’s submarines out there, then sonar’s going to pick it up first. And with passive, our range is immense. This contact came in. The bright lines will tell me if there’s sound and I can move my cursor over the top of it and if I listen closely…
[Sonar Sounds]
If it’s a ship, I’m going to hear, like, propellers, or maybe engine noise depending on the kind of ship it is. Sometimes, if I look down this bearing here, I might hear biologics, which is like, whales or dolphins.
[Dolphins whistling and whales moaning]
But, if it’s a submarine, it’s going to be a lot quieter.
[Submarine pulsing]
Sonar has six computer screens in front of them that displays all our information there. People can trust in me to do my job and do it well. Sometimes it’s hard. A lot of times it’s hard, but it’s very rewarding. I really like the people that I work with. I made a lot of great friends, a lot of friends I’ll have the rest of my life. I’m kind of blown away by the things that I do and the stuff that I’ve done. There’s a very small amount of people on the planet who have ever done that.
Navy Sonar Technician – ST
What training do Sonography Technicians gain in the Military?
All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Sonography technicians in the Military will gain skills through classroom study, including practice with medical imaging equipment, and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:
- Operation of diagnostic imaging equipment
- Image processing
- Anatomy and physiology
- Patient care in radiology
- Medical ethics and law
- Principles of radiation protection
- Field radiography
Military Training for Enlisted Service members
All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training.
What skills help Sonography Technicians succeed?
- Ability to follow strict standards and procedures
- Interest in activities requiring accuracy and attention to detail
- Interest in helping others
- Interest in working in a medical environment
- Technical skills and eye-hand coordination