NOC 2021 · 32122 · TEER 2
NOC 32122: Medical sonographers
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
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.
TEER
TEER 2
Usually needs a college diploma, an apprenticeship of 2 or more years, or supervisory work
Median wage (Canada)
$42.00 / hour
Job Bank, 2023-2024
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 3
+20 CRS for Canadian work, or 50 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
Healthcare and social services
Category-based draws (2026)
Express Entry
How NOC 32122 counts for Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of continuous skilled (TEER 0–3) work in the last 10 years and 67 points on the FSW grid.
- Canadian Experience Class: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Canada in the last 3 years.
- Federal Skilled Trades: not eligibleNeeds 2 years of work in an eligible trade group in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
High-wage CRS points
NOC 32122 is in tier 3 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +20 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 50 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
- Healthcare and social services
At least 12 months of full-time work experience (or equal part-time) in the past 3 years in one listed occupation, plus Express Entry eligibility and the round instructions.
IRCC category listsDuties
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Operate ultrasound imaging equipment that transmits high frequency sound pulses through the body to produce images of those parts of the body requiring examination
- Monitor examination by viewing images on video screen, to evaluate quality and consistency of diagnostic images, and make adjustments to equipment, as required
- Record, store and process scanned images by using camera unit connected to ultrasound equipment
- Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure patient safety and comfort
- Prepare examination reports for physicians to aid in the monitoring of pregnancies and the diagnosis of cardiac, abdominal, ophthalmic, vascular and other disorders
- Perform quality control checks on ultrasound equipment to ensure proper operation and perform minor repairs and adjustments as required
- May supervise and train students and other medical sonographers.
- Medical sonographers may specialize in abdominal, cardiac, cerebral, obstetrical and gynaecological, ophthalmic, intraluminal or peripheral vascular sonography. They may also specialize in adult or pediatric echocardiography or neurosonology.
For Express Entry, your experience must match the lead statement and most of these duties, not only the job title.
Job titles
Example job titles
- diagnostic medical sonography instructor
- medical sonographer
- medical sonographers supervisor
- registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS)
- ultrasound technologist
All 37 job titles in NOC 32122
- adult echocardiographer
- cardiac sonographer
- cardiac ultrasound technician
- cardiac ultrasound technologist
- chief diagnostic medical sonographer
- diagnostic cardiac sonographer
- diagnostic echography technician
- diagnostic medical sonographer
- diagnostic medical sonography instructor
- diagnostic ultrasonography technician
- diagnostic ultrasound supervisor
- diagnostic ultrasound technician
- diagnostic ultrasound technologist - medical
- echocardiographer
- echocardiography technician
- echocardiography technologist
- echocardiography technologist sonographer
- echography technician
- echography technologist
- medical imaging technologist - ultrasound
- medical sonographer
- medical sonographers supervisor
- pediatric echocardiographer
- registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer
- registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS)
- registered ultrasound technologist
- sonographer - medical
- sonography technologist
- student medical sonographer
- student sonographer - medical
- ultrasonographer - medical
- ultrasonography technician
- ultrasonography technologist
- ultrasound supervisor
- ultrasound technician
- ultrasound technologist
- vascular sonographer
Requirements
Employment requirements
- 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 Sonography Canada and/or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers is usually required by employers.
- Registration with l'Ordre des technologues en imagerie médicale, en radio-oncologie et en électrophysiologie médicale du Québec is required in Quebec.
- Registration with the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario (CMRTO) is required in Ontario.
Additional information
- Membership in the Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers is available but voluntary.
Wages
Wages for NOC 32122 in Canada
Low, median and high wages per hour in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data.
| Region | Low | Median | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $34.90 | $42.00 | $51.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $33.44 | $42.70 | $48.72 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Nova Scotia | $29.56 | $39.01 | $45.30 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| New Brunswick | $30.31 | $37.23 | $43.72 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Quebec | $29.47 | $38.50 | $45.70 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Ontario | $35.00 | $41.00 | $48.08 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Manitoba | $39.21 | $41.70 | $46.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| Saskatchewan | $33.55 | $44.07 | $52.52 | Small Area Estimation, 2024 |
| Alberta | $38.46 | $46.00 | $55.65 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
| British Columbia | $35.00 | $44.41 | $50.00 | Labour Force Survey, 2023-2024 |
Provinces with too little data are not shown. Wages vary by city and employer; see Job Bank for regional figures.
Job outlook
Job outlook by province, 2025–2027
Job Bank rates the 3-year outlook as good or very good in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia.
Very goodSaskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Very good for medical sonographers (NOC 32122) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about medical sonographers in Saskatchewan:
Approximately 200 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Medical sonographers mainly work in the following sectors:
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 51%
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 49%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 85% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 15% compared to 19% for all occupations
64% of medical sonographers work all year, while 36% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 11% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 89% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 85% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 12% compared to 18% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Very goodAlberta
The employment outlook will be Very good for medical sonographers (NOC 32122) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about medical sonographers in Alberta:
Approximately 1,950 people work in this occupation.
Medical sonographers mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 67%
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 31%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 84% compared to 80% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 16% compared to 20% for all occupations
66% of medical sonographers work all year, while 34% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of medical sonographers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 17% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 83% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 56% compared to 19% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 24% compared to 21% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 14% compared to 9% for all occupations
GoodNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Good for medical sonographers (NOC 32122) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about medical sonographers in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Medical sonographers mainly work in the following sectors:
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 77%
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 23%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 69% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 31% compared to 18% for all occupations
62% of medical sonographers work all year, while 38% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
7% of medical sonographers are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: less than 5% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: more than 95% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 31% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 47% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 16% compared to 10% for all occupations
GoodOntario
The employment outlook will be Good for medical sonographers (NOC 32122) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
What Types of Employers Are Out There?
Hospitals
Medical and diagnostic laboratories
What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?
Increased need for health-related services to support the growing and aging population in Ontario
Prevalence of certain chronic illnesses and need for diagnostic imaging procedures such as ultrasounds to assist in detecting and treating conditions
Greater demand on the health care system because of a backlog of medical procedures and patient care needs
Investments in new hospitals
What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?
Medical sonographers are regulated by the College of Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists of Ontario (CMRITO)
Registration with Sonography Canada and/or American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is often required.
Here are some key facts about medical sonographers in Ontario:
Approximately 4,000 people work in this occupation.
Medical sonographers mainly work in the following sectors:
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 51%
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 47%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 81% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 19% compared to 19% for all occupations
64% of medical sonographers work all year, while 36% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
7% of medical sonographers are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 14% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 86% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 35% compared to 24% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 36% compared to 13% for all occupations
GoodManitoba
The employment outlook will be Good for medical sonographers (NOC 32122) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about medical sonographers in Manitoba:
Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Medical sonographers mainly work in the following sectors:
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 90%
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 10%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 80% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 20% compared to 19% for all occupations
80% of medical sonographers work all year, while 20% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 7% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 93% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 50% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 43% compared to 20% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 7% compared to 8% for all occupations
GoodBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Good for medical sonographers (NOC 32122) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Labour shortages continue to affect the delivery of health care services in various parts of the province, especially in northern and rural areas.
Here are some key facts about medical sonographers in British Columbia:
Approximately 900 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Medical sonographers mainly work in the following sectors:
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 75%
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 24%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 82% compared to 78% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 18% compared to 22% for all occupations
77% of medical sonographers work all year, while 23% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
Less than 5% of medical sonographers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 15% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 85% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 44% compared to 17% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 37% compared to 22% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 15% compared to 12% for all occupations
ModerateQuebec
The employment outlook will be Moderate for medical sonographers (NOC 32122) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about medical sonographers in Quebec:
Approximately 550 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Medical sonographers mainly work in the following sectors:
Hospitals (NAICS 622): 87%
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 11%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 84% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 16% compared to 18% for all occupations
78% of medical sonographers work all year, while 22% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 12% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 88% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 19% for all occupations
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 78% compared to 22% for all occupations
bachelor's degree: 12% compared to 17% for all occupations
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
UndeterminedNewfoundland and Labrador
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedPrince Edward Island
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNew Brunswick
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNorthwest Territories
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNunavut
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Source: ESDC Job Bank, 3-year employment outlooks 2025–2027 (released December 2025).
Provinces
Provincial Nominee Programs
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Most provinces run occupation-targeted draws or in-demand lists, and some accept TEER 4 and 5 occupations that Express Entry does not.
Provincial lists change often, sometimes between draws. We check whether NOC 32122 is being targeted by any province as part of a consultation.
Similar occupations
Related NOC codes
Classified elsewhere
If your duties fit one of these better, use that code instead.
Same occupation group
Medical technologists and technicians
Questions
NOC 32122: common questions
What is the NOC code for medical sonographers?
What TEER category is NOC 32122?
Is NOC 32122 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 32122 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 32122 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 32122 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 3Health occupationsBroad Category
- 32Technical occupations in healthMajor Group
- 321Technical occupations in health (except practitioners of natural healing)Sub-major Group
- 3212Medical technologists and techniciansMinor Group
- 32122Medical sonographers
Enquiry
Is NOC 32122 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, experience and language scores. We will confirm your NOC code and the Canadian routes that fit.
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0, Job Bank wages (2025), Job Bank outlooks 2025–2027 and IRCC. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Checked 21 October 2026.
NOC 2026 is due from Statistics Canada in December 2026. IRCC still uses NOC 2021 codes, and this page will show any change once IRCC switches.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC or ESDC.
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