Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Machines can already do 15% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 37%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 15% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2039, and 37% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 90,160 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $96,590 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 87% for contact with people.
- Also called: Cardiovascular Sonographer, Echo Tech (Echocardiographic Technician), Echosonographer Technologist (Echo Technologist), Medical Sonographer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 26% | 3% to 25% | |
| Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required | 13% | 3% to 25% | |
| Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles | 8% | 3% to 25% | |
| Prepare patient for exam by explaining procedure, transferring patient to ultrasound table, scrubbing skin and applying gel, and positioning patient properly | 8% | 3% to 25% | |
| Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas | 5% | 36% to 68% | |
| Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort | 5% | 3% to 25% | |
| Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis | 5% | 27% to 46% | |
| Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment | 5% | 3% to 25% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills diagnostic medical sonographers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Dental Hygienists36% of tasks by 2035 · US median $98,100
- Surgical Assistants35% of tasks by 2035 · US median $66,800
- Surgical Technologists35% of tasks by 2035 · US median $64,650
- Prosthodontists29% of tasks by 2035 · US median $311,180
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2039. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of diagnostic medical sonographers?
Machines can do 15% of the tasks of diagnostic medical sonographers today and 37% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-2032.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/diagnostic-medical-sonographers/