Anything from helping a patient discover a problem in their body so they can receive proper treatment, to seeing the smiling faces of a prospective parent as they see their unborn baby born, can be extremely rewarding for an ultrasound technician. Many people want to choose the path of an ultrasound technician as their career path in life, but getting started can seem complicated. With good planning and helpful tips, you can be on your way to a great career as an ultrasound technician. Education Those without formal education or certification can be hired in the medical field to become ultrasound technicians, but you will likely need a tremendous amount of medical experience and a good history in the medical field to stand a chance against other certified candidates. Additionally, having a proper certification or degree in the field of ultrasound will greatly help your chances of advancing your career in the future. The type of education you will need to become a certified ultrasound technician will vary based on your current status in the world of medicine. You will definitely need a high school diploma or GED before you decide to venture into training for an ultrasound certificate. If you have at least that much study under your belt, you have three options. The first option is a one-year certification program. This is available to those who already have some degree of medical training in jobs such as nursing, radiography, physician assistants and more. This program is designed to specifically cover the main aspects of ultrasound in addition to formal medical training. There are also two-year certification programs for people with little or no experience in the world of medicine. This will provide you with formal training… middle of the paper… and, so it is important to take time to remember how many lives you are changing and how your life is changed by your patients. Remember every smile, take pride in every step toward healthier patients, and never forget that a career doesn't mean much if you're not happy with it. Job Outlook and Salary Like most jobs in the medical world, the prospects for sonographers are currently great and appear to have a bright future. It appears that the demand for ultrasound technicians will increase by up to 44% this decade, and most ultrasound technicians earn a salary of around $64,000 on average, with salaries ranging from almost $45,000 to $88,000. If you are truly interested in the world of ultrasound ultrasound, it is never too late to start. Do proper research, start with your certificate or degree and enter the world of medicine to start your new career.