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Careers›Roles›Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS)
Mid-Level

Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS)

Using ultrasound to image the eye, you produce the scans that help ophthalmologists see what they can't view directly: tumors, detachments, structures behind a clouded lens. Imaging the eye when the doctor can't look straight in.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
R
I
C
S
E
A
Realistichands-on, practical
Investigativeanalytical, curious
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS)s
Healthcare · 89%Government · 3%Administrative Services · 2%Education · 2%Professional Services · 1%Financial Services · 1%
Job markets for Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS)s
Employment concentration · ~328 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Healthcare
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS)

The bulk of the work is focused, patient-facing imaging: positioning patients, performing precise ocular ultrasounds, and capturing the views a physician needs to diagnose. The eye is small and delicate, so the craft is in gentle, exact technique and reading the image as you go. You'll often work in a clinic or ophthalmology practice, scan after scan, alongside doctors and other techs.

The pace and variety depend on the setting. A busy practice can mean back-to-back patients on a tight schedule — a specialized or surgical center brings more complex cases. Many patients are anxious or have impaired vision, so a calm, reassuring manner matters, and the technology and protocols keep advancing, which means ongoing certification and learning.

Those who thrive here tend to be precise, steady-handed, and genuinely good with nervous patients — comfortable with detailed, repetitive work that still demands focus. If you want broad variety or a leading clinical role, the narrow specialty may feel limiting. But for those who find satisfaction in producing the image that guides a diagnosis, it can be quietly rewarding.

What people in this role value
AchievementAbove avg
RelationshipsAbove avg
Working ConditionsModerate
RecognitionModerate
SupportModerate
IndependenceModerate
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Professional Services$77K+1%
Energy & Utilities$77K+0%
Technology & Information$74K-4%
Financial Services$70K-9%
Healthcare$70K-9%
Compared to Healthcare average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS)s (SOC 29-2099.05), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Healthcare →
Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS)Retinal AngiographerOcular Care TechnologistOphthalmic PhotographerCertified Ophthalmic Technologist
Exploring the Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS) career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$37K–$81K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
174K
U.S. Employment
+5.2%
10yr Growth
14K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$74K$71K$68K$65K$62K201920202021202220232024$62K$74K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationCritical ThinkingInstructingReading ComprehensionWritingCoordinationActive Learning
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
29-2099.05

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midRetinal Angiographer$46KmidOcular Care Technologist$46KmidOphthalmic Photographer$46KmidCertified Ophthalmic Technologist$49K
View all Healthcare roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.