Friday, 10 January 2025
Highlights from the ASA Employment and Salary Survey
Salaries are up but workload pressure persists
The 2024 ASA Employment and Salary Survey, with input from 973 sonographers across Australia and New Zealand, has provided an eye-opening look at the profession. The data reveals promising salary growth alongside ongoing challenges, offering insights into the future of sonography.
Sonographers have seen a 9% increase in average hourly pay, rising from $64.80 in 2021 to $71.00 in 2024. While this reflects steady wage growth, remuneration satisfaction remains low, particularly in public hospitals, where only 30% of sonographers feel adequately compensated.
Flexibility is shaping the sonography workforce:
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52% of sonographers in Australia now work part-time, a trend growing since 2021.
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In public hospitals, 54% of sonographers hold secondary roles in private practice, often seeking better pay or flexibility.
A concerning 38% of sonographers plan to leave the profession within the next decade, with 19% intending to exit within the next five years. These trends underscore significant challenges in workforce sustainability. High workloads, limited scan times and staff shortages are key stressors impacting morale and retention.
Sonographers in private practice report higher satisfaction with workload (64%) and scheduling (65%) compared with their public hospital counterparts (57% and 54%). The divide highlights systemic differences in work environments and resource allocation.
Want the full picture? Read the complete ASA Employment and Salary Survey report in Soundeffects News.