With the medical field growing at a record rate across the country, opportunities are numerous for individuals who would like to become an ultrasound technician in North Carolina. The ultrasound technician is a versatile healthcare professional who performs making use of diagnostic imaging equipment to perform tests on patients at facilities ranging from hospitals to physicians offices and offices of other healthcare practitioners. This position is a popular one with those at the beginning of their careers in healthcare, as it requires comparatively less education and is often a means for advancing into other healthcare roles.
Become an ultrasound tech in North Carolina
Each of the four steps necessary to become an ultrasound technician in North Carolina are analyzed below.
Step 1: Get your high school diploma or GED
The first step towards whatever position you pursue should always be finishing your high school diploma. When considering jobs in the healthcare field, this is particularly true. While it is sometimes possible to find some entry-level positions without a diploma or G.E.D., you will at some point find that your chances for advancement are limited.
While shopping for an ultrasound technician certification class, you will find that almost all programs require students to hold a G.E.D. or diploma before registration. For that reason, if you’re planning on working in medical care, it’s always a good idea to finish this crucial first step.
Step 2: Sign-up for an accredited ultrasound tech school in NC
Ultrasound technician programs in North Carolina are mandated by state law to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). You have to graduate from a program accredited by one of these organizations if you wish to be approved to test for certification in the state.
Step 3: Graduate from the training program and all mandatory training hours
Graduating from an approved ultrasound technician program is vital, as you will not be able to advance to the following step without having done so. Programs in North Carolina will require you to satisfy a minimum number of practice hours in a clinical setting.
You will not be able to sit for any certification exam unless you have finished all of the mandatory hours.
Step 4: Acquire an RDMS certification
In the State of North Carolina, you are legally required to pass one of the nationally-administered exams for ultrasound tech certification. The exams include segments on all principal areas of knowledge you would have studied in your study course.
The three major national certification exams recognized in North Carolina are detailed below.
Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) from ARDMS – every workplace.
Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) from CCI – This credential is accepted by most employers, represents a well-rounded expertise in ultrasound technology, and can qualify its holder for positions specifically in the discipline of cardiology.
Sonography Certification (S) from ARRT – The Sonography (S) from ARRT credential is a nationally-recognized credential that certifies its owner for a wide number of opportunities in ultrasound and sonography.
Ultrasound technician salary and jobs in North Carolina
The need for ultrasound technicians is at historic levels in not only North Carolina, but throughout the entire U.S. Up through 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 34% increase in additional opportunities for ultrasound technicians in North Carolina. offices of other healthcare practitioners, hospitals and physicians offices are expected to fill the majority of all new positions. There should additionally be some demand at state and federal government organizations and facilities.
No matter the job setting, these jobs are going to allow for considerable time learning under the guidance of specialized medical personnel, physicians and other positions the ultrasound technician may want to eventually advance into.
Below you will find a record of the largest cities in North Carolina and even more specifics on ultrasound tech compensation by area and county.
| Location | Pay Type | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Hourly | $23.39 | $33.49 | $47.64 |
| Yearly | $48,660 | $69,650 | $99,100 | |
| North Carolina | Hourly | $23.87 | $30.70 | $39.40 |
| Yearly | $49,640 | $63,860 | $81,950 | |
| Wilmington, NC MSA | Hourly | $26.04 | $34.05 | $47.75 |
| Yearly | $54,160 | $70,830 | $99,330 | |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC MSA | Hourly | $26.29 | $33.76 | $42.91 |
| Yearly | $54,680 | $70,230 | $89,250 | |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC MSA | Hourly | $25.78 | $33.08 | $43.72 |
| Yearly | $53,610 | $68,820 | $90,930 | |
| Northeastern North Carolina BOS | Hourly | $23.29 | $31.12 | $37.49 |
| Yearly | $48,450 | $64,720 | $77,980 | |
| Winston-Salem, NC MSA | Hourly | $25.32 | $31.07 | $40.74 |
| Yearly | $52,650 | $64,620 | $84,740 | |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC MSA | Hourly | $25.21 | $30.94 | $39.08 |
| Yearly | $52,430 | $64,350 | $81,290 | |
| Asheville, NC MSA | Hourly | $24.52 | $30.87 | $38.59 |
| Yearly | $51,000 | $64,200 | $80,270 | |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA | Hourly | $22.81 | $30.72 | $39.55 |
| Yearly | $47,450 | $63,890 | $82,260 | |
| Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC MSA | Hourly | $25.38 | $30.55 | $37.99 |
| Yearly | $52,790 | $63,550 | $79,020 | |
| Fayetteville, NC MSA | Hourly | $21.28 | $30.31 | $44.63 |
| Yearly | $44,270 | $63,040 | $92,830 | |
| Western Central North Carolina BOS | Hourly | $24.67 | $30.09 | $42.43 |
| Yearly | $51,310 | $62,580 | $88,260 | |
| Greenville, NC MSA | Hourly | $21.37 | $28.62 | $42.32 |
| Yearly | $44,460 | $59,520 | $88,030 | |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | Hourly | $17.56 | $28.24 | $36.64 |
| Yearly | $36,520 | $58,730 | $76,220 | |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC MSA | Hourly | $21.30 | $27.75 | $36.32 |
| Yearly | $44,300 | $57,710 | $75,540 | |
| Western North Carolina BOS | Hourly | $21.29 | $27.64 | $37.56 |
| Yearly | $44,290 | $57,490 | $78,120 | |
| Burlington, NC MSA | Hourly | $15.28 | $17.38 | $37.26 |
| Yearly | $31,770 | $36,140 | $77,510 |