What is the process to become an Ultrasound Tech?
Find Ultrasound Tech Schools Today
STEP 1 – Have or get your H.S. diploma or GED
This is a must. Not having your High School diploma or at least a GED will stop you from going any further.
STEP 2 – Enroll in to an Accredited Ultrasound Tech School
Most colleges have ultrasound tech/sonography training programs. Community colleges offer associates programs that are 2 years in length and there are four year sonography programs but that is on the high end of the spectrum of necessary education levels. There are also 1 year certification programs at some colleges and hospitals. The accrediting body for ultrasound tech programs in the United States is Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Below is a link to the database of accredited sonography and ultrasound tech programs from CAAHEP.
Step 3 – Complete the program and other requirements if needed
Not all states require certification from their sonographers but some do. That being said employers are demanding it more and more and it is becoming standard to be certified. It also makes you more employable and desirable as an employee and can make you more money in the long run.
Some states may have a requirement of basic life support training certification or something like that before certification is given. There are also programs that have certifications at the end of their training programs. The best options for ultrasound tech certification are the (ARDMS) American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, (CCI) Cardiovascular Credentialing International, and (ARRT) American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Step 4 – Get your RDMS Certification
About Ultrasound Technician Salary
According to bls.gov’s latest data, the median annual wage for ultrasound technicians was $55,270 in May 2017. The lowest 10 percent of earners as ultrasound techs earned less than $28,680, and the highest 10 percent of them earned more than $90,760.
Here is a list of average earnings at differing workplace types.
Outpatient care centers $81,200
Offices of physicians $71,740
Hospitals $69,890
Medical laboratories $69,690
What is the average salary for an Ultrasound Tech?
See the table below for salary and hourly wage information in full.
Ultrasound Technician Salary by State
| Area Name | Hourly Avg. Wage | Annual Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 26.80 | 55750 |
| Alaska | 39.76 | 82710 |
| Arizona | 38.80 | 80710 |
| Arkansas | 30.21 | 62840 |
| California | 44.09 | 91700 |
| Colorado | 39.16 | 81450 |
| Connecticut | 38.72 | 80550 |
| Delaware | 34.21 | 71150 |
| Florida | 31.12 | 64730 |
| Georgia | 30.36 | 63150 |
| Hawaii | 43.39 | 90250 |
| Idaho | 37.15 | 77260 |
| Illinois | 35.74 | 74340 |
| Indiana | 32.53 | 67660 |
| Iowa | 31.29 | 65080 |
| Kansas | 33.43 | 69530 |
| Kentucky | 31.24 | 64990 |
| Louisiana | 27.90 | 58040 |
| Maine | 35.22 | 73250 |
| Maryland | 35.42 | 73660 |
| Massachusetts | 39.64 | 82450 |
| Michigan | 29.05 | 60410 |
| Minnesota | 37.77 | 78560 |
| Mississippi | 31.14 | 64770 |
| Missouri | 34.48 | 71730 |
| Montana | 36.71 | 76360 |
| Nebraska | 30.37 | 63170 |
| Nevada | 36.01 | 74910 |
| New Hampshire | 37.80 | 78630 |
| New Jersey | 36.20 | 75290 |
| New Mexico | 30.27 | 62970 |
| New York | 35.81 | 74480 |
| North Carolina | 31.62 | 65770 |
| North Dakota | 33.13 | 68910 |
| Ohio | 30.85 | 64170 |
| Oklahoma | 32.08 | 66730 |
| Oregon | 41.41 | 86140 |
| Pennsylvania | 32.42 | 67440 |
| Rhode Island | 38.40 | 79870 |
| South Carolina | 31.17 | 64820 |
| South Dakota | 28.52 | 59320 |
| Tennessee | 30.13 | 62660 |
| Texas | 37.62 | 78250 |
| Utah | 36.51 | 75940 |
| Vermont | 36.70 | 76330 |
| Virginia | 34.12 | 70960 |
| Washington | 42.04 | 87440 |
| West Virginia | 29.26 | 60870 |
| Wisconsin | 36.42 | 75760 |
| Wyoming | 32.61 | 67820 |
Source – www.bls.gov
What is the job outlook?
At 17% growth the field of sonography is growing above the national average for medical field careers!
Top 5 Paying States for Ultrasound Technicians
| State/Area | Avg. Hourly Wage | Avg. Yearly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| California | $44.88 | $93,350 |
| District of Columbia | $42.10 | $87,570 |
| Washington | $41.81 | $86,970 |
| Oregon | $40.46 | $84,160 |
| Colorado | $39.34 | $81,830 |
Source:bls.gov
What does an Ultrasound Technician do?
Diagnostic medical sonographers and ultrasound technicians operate special imaging equipment that create images or conduct tests on their patients. The images along with the matching test results assist physicians in their assessment and diagnosis of patient medical conditions. Sonographers and technologists in many cases will work very closely with doctors, physicians and surgeons. Below we get in to specific job duties.
Ultrasound Tech Job Duties
Below are the typical day to day duties of an ultrasound tech.
Prep patients for procedure and get medical history details from patient
Prep and always maintain necessary diagnostic equipment
Operate equipment for diagnostic imaging and tests
Review images and results for quality and make sure that coverage of the areas needed for diagnoses is full
See differences between abnormal images and what would be considered normal
Provide a summary for physicians
Track patients’ records and record your findings
