3216 Medical Sonographers

Medical Sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of various parts of
the body to aid physicians in monitoring pregnancies and in diagnosing cardiac, ophthalmic, vascular and
other medical disorders. They are employed in clinics and hospitals. Medical sonographers who are
supervisors or instructors are included in this unit group.

Employment Prospect rating

Current (2013-2017): Average
Previous (2009-2013): Above Average

What are the employment requirements for this occupation?

Learn about the essential skills required for this occupation at the Ontario Skills Passport website

Read about the main duties, common titles and other information for this occupation at the
National Occupational Classification website

What licensing bodies or associations are important for this occupation?

How quickly has employment grown for this occupation compared with others?

How are job openings for this occupation expected to compare with those in other occupations
from 2013 to 2017?

What is the general make-up of the workforce for this occupation?

What industries employ this occupation?

In what areas of Ontario is this occupation found?

How do wages for this occupation compare with others?

Queens Printer for Ontario, 2013

What are the employment requirements for this

occupation?

Completion of a three- to four-year program in diagnostic Medical Sonography or ultrasound

technology ; or, completion of a two- to three-year program in a related allied health field and a
one-year post-diploma program in diagnostic Medical Sonography from an accredited institution
are required.

Registration with the Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound

Professionals and/or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers is usually
required by employers.

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What licensing bodies or associations are important for

this occupation?

Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals

Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

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How quickly has employment grown for this occupation

compared with others?
Figure 1 compares the trend in employment growth for Medical Sonographers, Technical and Skilled
Occupations in Health and all occupations between 2001 and 2011. Employment of Medical
Sonographers in 2011 was 82% above the 2001 level. In 2011, employment was 55% higher for
Technical and Skilled Occupations in Health and 14% higher for all occupations compared to 2001.

Figure 1: Employment Growth for Medical Sonographers,

Technical and Skilled Occupations in Health and all
Occupations, Ontario, 2001-2011
Employment indexed
at 100 in 2001

190
170
150
130
110
90
All Occupations [6,731]

70

Technical and Skilled Occupations in Health [106]

50

Medical Sonographers [2.4]

30
2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Note: The figures in brackets are employment levels in thousands for 2011.
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey & National Household Survey.

Notes: Employment estimates for all occupations and major occupational groups are based on Labour
Force Survey (LFS) data. However, due to the limited sample size of the LFS, estimates for small
occupations can be inaccurate due to high sampling variability. As a result, Census and National
Household Survey employment data are used for the 4-digit National Occupational Classification group
for the years in which data are available (2001, 2006, 2011).
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How are job openings for this occupation expected to

compare with those in other occupations from 2013 to
2017?
Figure 2 shows the two components of projected job openings (new jobs and attrition) for Medical
Sonographers, Technical and Skilled Occupations in Health and all occupations. The graph shows a
higher share of openings from new jobs for Medical Sonographers (41%) compared with all Technical and
Skilled Occupations in Health (40%) and all occupations (34%). It also shows a lower share of openings
due to attrition compared with all Technical and Skilled Occupations in Health and all occupations.

100%

Figure 2: Components of Job Openings, New Jobs and Attrition

(deaths and retirements), Ontario 2013-2017

90%

Share new jobs (2013-17)

80%

Share attrition (2013-17)

70%

66%
60%

60%
50%
40%

40%

59%

41%

34%

30%
20%
10%
0%
All Occupations

Technical and Skilled

Occupations in Health

Medical Sonographers

Source: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS), Employment and Social

Development Canada (previously Human Resources and Skills Development Canada).

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What is the general make-up of the workforce for this

occupation?
Table 1: General Employment Characteristics (2011 National Household Survey)

General Employment Characteristics

(%)

Male

12

Female

88

Full-Time

65

Part-Time

35

Self Employed

Employees

94

Unemployment Rate

0.6

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What industries employ this occupation?

Table 2: Main Industries of Employment (2011 National Household Survey)

Main Industries of Employment

(%)

Health care and social assistance

97

Professional, scientific and technical services

All Other Industries

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In what areas of Ontario is this occupation found?

Table 3: Distribution of workers by Economic Region (2011 National Household Survey)

Employment by Economic Region

(%) This
Occupation

(%) All
Occupations

Ottawa

10

Kingston - Pembroke

Muskoka - Kawarthas

Toronto

55

46

Kitchener - Waterloo - Barrie

10

Hamilton - Niagara Peninsula

13

10

London

Windsor - Sarnia

Stratford - Bruce Peninsula

Northeast

Northwest

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How do wages for this occupation compare with others?

Figure 3: Average Annual Employment Income,
Employed Full-Time Full-Year in 2010, Ontario
$69,000
$67,809

$68,000
$67,000
$66,000
$65,000
$64,000
$63,000
$62,000

$61,495

$61,000
$60,000
$59,000
$58,000
All Occupations

Medical Sonographers

Source: Statistics Canada, National Household Survey.

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What do the employment prospects ratings mean?

Ontario Job Futures rates employment prospects as either Above Average, Average or Below
Average. These ratings focus on the recent labour market conditions and projections of demand for new
workers, but do not consider the existing or potential supply of workers (such as new graduates and
immigrants). The employment prospect ratings are developed for Ontario as a whole, and may not reflect
the labour market outlook in every region of the province.

Above Average" labour market conditions usually mean that, relative to the employment situation
overall, there is a better likelihood of finding stable work in this occupation, and employment
prospects are attractive or improving.
"Average" labour market conditions indicate that jobs are expected to be more difficult to find; the
probability of unemployment is higher; and wages and salaries have recently increased at a slower
pace than those occupations rated as "Above Average." On the other hand, jobs are easier to find;
unemployment is less likely; and wages and salaries have recently increased at a faster pace than in
those occupations rated "Below Average".
"Below Average" labour market conditions mean that it is more difficult to find stable work or
employment prospects are not attractive or are deteriorating relative to those in other industries or
occupations. For new entrants, such as people leaving school and immigrants, Below Average
labour market conditions mean a relatively low probability of finding stable work in this occupation and
lower potential for rising pay.

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