With the medical industry adding new jobs at a historic rate all around the state, there is plenty of opportunity for those who want to become an ultrasound technician in Washington. The job of sonographer and ultrasound technician is a sought-after one by those who are just beginning their careers in the medical field, as it requires relatively little education and is sometimes a means for advancing into other medical field positions in Washington State.
Find Ultrasound Tech Schools in Washington Now
Tips to Become an ultrasound technician in Washington
Each one of the four actions necessary to become an ultrasound technician in Washington are analyzed below.
Step 1: Graduate from high school or get your G.E.D.
IF you want to even have a chance to be eligible for ultrasound tech training in Washington, you must have graduated from high school or have your GED.
Step 2: Register for an accredited ultrasound technician school in Washington State
Below is the full list of the accredited ultrasound tech schools in Washington State.
Seattle University 900 Broadway Seattle WA 98122-4340 206-296-6000 Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician
Spokane Community College 1810 North Greene Street Spokane WA 99217-5399 509-533-7000 Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician
Columbia Basin College 2600 N 20th Ave Pasco WA 99301 509-547-0511 Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician
Tacoma Community College 6501 S 19th St Tacoma WA 98466-6100 253-566-5000 Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician
Bellevue College 3000 Landerholm Cir SE Bellevue WA 98007-6484 425-564-1000 Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician
Clover Park Technical College 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW Lakewood WA 98499-4004 253-589-5800 Renal/Dialysis Technologist/Technician
Highline College 2400 S 240th St Des Moines WA 98198-9800 206-878-3710 Polysomnography
Lower Columbia College 1600 Maple Street Longview WA 98632-0310 360-442-2311 Renal/Dialysis Technologist/Technician
Bellevue College 3000 Landerholm Cir SE Bellevue WA 98007-6484 425-564-1000 Electroneurodiagnostic/Electroencephalographic Technology/Technologist
Step 3: Complete the training course and all requisite study hours
Completing an accredited training course is mandatory to become an ultrasound technician and each training course requires that potential ultrasound techs finish a number of instruction hours in a clinical setting. Also, the required hours must be met before you’re permitted to take any certification exams.
Step 4: Get an RDMS certification
To se all the details on the three main national certification exams administered in Washington and what the test is comprised of click here.
Ultrasound technician salary and jobs in Washington
In Washington demand is very high for ultrasound techs with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 31% increase in brand new positions for ultrasound technicians in Washington. The majority of new positions are likely to be produced at hospitals and physicians offices in Washington State. There should additionally be limited demand at state and federal government agencies and facilities. As mentioned earlier, a number of of these opportunities can be good starting points for most careers in the medical field. The subsequent list reflects information on ultrasound technician wages in Washington by location and all the statistics come from the latest data on the bls.gov website. We could not be more excited about the future of the career in Washington State!
| Location | Pay Type | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Hourly | $23.39 | $33.49 | $47.64 |
| Yearly | $48,660 | $69,650 | $99,100 | |
| Washington | Hourly | $31.61 | $42.12 | $50.34 |
| Yearly | $65,740 | $87,610 | $104,700 | |
| Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA Metropolitan Division | Hourly | $33.88 | $43.52 | $53.76 |
| Yearly | $70,470 | $90,520 | $111,820 | |
| Bellingham, WA MSA | Hourly | $32.52 | $43.29 | $49.75 |
| Yearly | $67,630 | $90,050 | $103,470 | |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA MSA | Hourly | $31.89 | $43.18 | $49.95 |
| Yearly | $66,340 | $89,820 | $103,890 | |
| Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, WA MSA | Hourly | $31.72 | $42.53 | $74.62 |
| Yearly | $65,970 | $88,460 | $155,200 | |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA MSA | Hourly | $32.26 | $42.45 | $49.47 |
| Yearly | $67,110 | $88,300 | $102,910 | |
| Tacoma, WA Metropolitan Division | Hourly | $29.56 | $41.20 | $49.05 |
| Yearly | $61,490 | $85,700 | $102,020 | |
| Spokane, WA MSA | Hourly | $28.14 | $39.86 | $48.83 |
| Yearly | $58,540 | $82,910 | $101,570 | |
| Olympia, WA MSA | Hourly | $28.22 | $39.76 | $48.66 |
| Yearly | $58,700 | $82,710 | $101,210 | |
| Yakima, WA MSA | Hourly | $27.68 | $39.22 | $49.09 |
| Yearly | $57,580 | $81,580 | $102,110 |