by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Polysomnography explores Polysomnography. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Work Under The Supervision Of A Physician To Provide Comprehensive Evaluation And Treatment Of Sleep Disorders. Includes Instruction In Human Anatomy And Physiology, Polysomnographic Technology, Polysomnography Scoring, Neuroanatomy And Neurophysiology Of Sleep, Sleep Disorders, And Medical Terminology. Examples: [Polysomnography], [Polysomnography/sleep Technology]. Continue reading for the essential details every polysomnography student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering polysomnography programs.
In the U.S., polysomnography is a widely-pursued major, with 256 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Polysomnography Schools ranking analyzes these 25 schools to determine the best overall colleges for polysomnography students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of polysomnography programs later in this article.
Studies in Polysomnography develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations polysomnography graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a polysomnography program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a polysomnography major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several polysomnography degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 65 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 73 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 117 |
People currently working in careers related to polysomnography tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 19.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 19.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 16.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.0% |
| Master’s degree | 13.6% |
| Some college courses | 7.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in polysomnography careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in polysomnography prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to polysomnography.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to polysomnography.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Representatives | 3,368,169 | 4.8% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | 3,206,816 | 12.2% |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | 2,908,248 | 9.4% |
| Neurodiagnostic Technologists | 1,852,560 | 14.1% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of polysomnography graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,845 |
| 4 years | $61,295 |
| 5 years | $69,015 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for polysomnography graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers polysomnography grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $153,940 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | $153,819 |
| Neurodiagnostic Technologists | $81,316 |
| Patient Representatives | $47,419 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
With 25 different polysomnography programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased polysomnography school rankings to help you.
Students interested in polysomnography, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
