Ultrasound techs, also known as diagnostic medical sonographers, diagnostic ultrasound professionals, sonography technologists, and ultrasound technicians, carry out diagnostic ultrasound procedures.
Most ultrasound technicians work in hospitals. Sometimes working in other healthcare settings such as smaller medical practices, physicians’ offices, and laboratories.
They work with other members of the medical profession, and sometimes manage their own department. They are required to adhere to the medical code of conduct, and carry out a competent code of practice with patient safety.
Ultrasound Tech Salary
How much do ultrasound techs make? By looking at the recorded median wage for techs we can determine the average ultrasound techs salary in the US.
The median wage is calculated by taking the midpoint between the lowest and top earners in the profession. The median wage is $72,510. While the lowest 10% earns less than $51,430, and the top 10% earns above $100,480.
This means an ultrasound techs starting salary is around $50,000. Depending on some factors such as geographic location, medical experience, and qualifications. Noticeably higher than some other occupations, reflective of the importance and competence of the position.
Most ultrasound technicians work full time. However, because they work in facilities that are typically open 24 hours a day they often work evenings, weekends, nights, and over holidays.
Practitioners in other closely related occupations often move into being an ultrasound technician. Such as a radiation therapist, or another diagnostic medical sonographer. With some on the job training, the skill-set can be transferred across.
Top 5 Paying States
| Flag | State | Employment per 1000 Jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | California | 0.31 | $43.20 | $89,870 |
 | Oregon | 0.32 | $41.33 | $85,970 |
 | Alaska | 0.24 | $39.78 | $82,740 |
 | Washington | 0.48 | $39.69 | $82,550 |
 | Colorado | 0.34 | $37.89 | $78,810 |
Top Paying Industries
| Industry | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialty Hospitals | 0.17 | $36.32 | $75,550 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 0.21 | $35.06 | $72,930 |
| Professional Schools , Colleges, and Universities | 0.01 | $34.74 | $72,270 |
| Other Health Practitioners Offices | 0.02 | $34.61 | $71,980 |
| Employment Services | 0.01 | $34.28 | $71,310 |
Ultrasound Tech Job Description
Ultrasound technicians use special imaging equipment to view, create, and examine images. The images and resulting from tests run with ultrasound equipment allows the practitioners to diagnose medical conditions.
What do ultrasound techs do on a daily basis? Here are some key tasks and duties:
- Converse with patients and examine their medical history.
- Maintain and operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
- Work with and analyze images to check for medical issues.
- Provide a summary of the information from the diagnostic results.
- Update and maintain patient records.
Diagnostic medical sonographers work in a similar field, often sharing tasks with ultrasound technicians. They specialize in taking images of organs and tissue from the body. Examples of medical sonographers include:
Abdominal sonographers – They specialize in taking images from the patient’s abdominal area. Such as organs like the kidney, pancreas, spleen, liver, etc
Breast sonographers – They specialize in taking images of breast tissue. Looking for cysts, tumors and other abnormalities.
Musculoskeletal sonographers – They specialize in taking images of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints.
Neurosonography – They specialize in taking images of a patient’s’ nervous system. This included the spinal cord and brain. Looking for disease and other issues developing.
Gynecologic sonographers – They specialize in taking images of the female reproductive system. Also tracking the development of a child to look for possible birth defects.
Throughout an ultrasound techs career they will see thousands of patients. Making interpersonal skills an important asset to an ultrasound technician. Sometimes it will be necessary to work with patients in physical pain, mental distress, and social difficulties.
Other skills and qualities important to ultrasound technicians include:
Attention to detail – Working with images that are not always clear requires a good eye for detail. It can be the difference between spotting a potentially dangerous condition, or missing it.
Hand-eye coordination – Imaging equipment requires good hand-eye coordination. Ultrasound techs must be able to accurately handle the equipment while looking at the patient’s body, and the images being produced.
Being physically fit – Ultrasound techs are often on their feet for long periods of time. Also needing to help patients move around if they are less able.
Most insurers and employers require professional certifications. There are certification awards by passing exams and going through accredited programs.
Ultrasound Tech Salary by State
| Flag | State | Employment per 1000 Jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Alabama | 1.042 | $12.87 | $26,760 |
| Alaska | 0.427 | $18.53 | $38,540 |
 | Arizona | 0.956 | $14.38 | $29,910 |
 | Arkansas | 0.804 | $12.19 | $25,350 |
| California | 0.76 | $18.16 | $37,770 |
| Colorado | 0.759 | $17.11 | $35,580 |
 | Connecticut | 1.01 | $17.59 | $36,590 |
 | Delaware | 1.101 | $17.60 | $36,600 |
 | Florida | 0.855 | $13.63 | $28,350 |
 | Georgia | 0.895 | $14.26 | $29,660 |
 | Hawaii | 1.034 | $16.71 | $34,760 |
 | Idaho | 1.037 | $14.31 | $29,760 |
 | Illinois | 0.883 | $16.27 | $33,850 |
 | Indiana | 0.889 | $13.90 | $28,910 |
 | Iowa | 0.706 | $13.50 | $28,080 |
 | Kansas | 0.526 | $14.25 | $29,640 |
 | Kentucky | 1.076 | $13.71 | $28,520 |
 | Louisiana | 0.977 | $13.69 | $28,470 |
 | Maine | 0.928 | $13.85 | $28,800 |
 | Maryland | 0.745 | $17.88 | $37,190 |
 | Massachusetts | 0.78 | $17.71 | $36,830 |
 | Michigan | 0.593 | $13.69 | $28,470 |
 | Minnesota | 0.666 | $16.76 | $34,850 |
 | Mississippi | 0.779 | $12.44 | $25,880 |
 | Missouri | 0.736 | $13.13 | $27,310 |
 | Montana | 0.562 | $14.48 | $30,110 |
 | Nebraska | 0.655 | $14.20 | $29,540 |
 | Nevada | 0.732 | $17.19 | $35,760 |
 | New Hampshire | 1.04 | $15.88 | $33,040 |
 | New Jersey | 1.217 | $16.68 | $34,690 |
 | New Mexico | 0.569 | $13.93 | $28,970 |
 | New York | 0.573 | $18.17 | $37,790 |
 | North Carolina | 1.105 | $13.63 | $28,350 |
 | North Dakota | 0.998 | $14.13 | $29,390 |
 | Ohio | 0.917 | $14.31 | $29,760 |
 | Oklahoma | 0.748 | $14.34 | $29,840 |
| Oregon | 0.953 | $16.91 | $35,170 |
 | Pennsylvania | 0.937 | $15.00 | $31,190 |
 | Rhode Island | 1.769 | $17.61 | $36,630 |
 | South Carolina | 0.702 | $12.69 | $26,390 |
 | South Dakota | 0.518 | $12.74 | $26,500 |
 | Tennessee | 0.938 | $12.69 | $26,390 |
 | Texas | 0.778 | $14.53 | $30,230 |
 | Utah | 0.952 | $12.66 | $26,340 |
 | Vermont | 0.99 | $15.01 | $31,230 |
 | Virginia | 0.961 | $15.28 | $31,790 |
| Washington | 0.628 | $16.87 | $35,090 |
 | West Virginia | 1.142 | $12.69 | $26,400 |
 | Wisconsin | 0.836 | $15.72 | $32,690 |
 | Wyoming | 1.022 | $14.62 | $30,410 |
Top paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Employment per 1000 jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose / Sunnyvale / Santa Clara, – CA | 0.22 | $54.36 | $113,080 |
| San Francisco / San Mateo-Redwood City – CA – Metropolitan Division | 0.23 | $54.20 | $112,740 |
| Santa Cruz / Watsonville – CA | 0.45 | $53.98 | $112,280 |
| Vallejo / Fairfield – CA | 0.49 | $51.79 | $107,730 |
| Fremont / Oakland / Hayward – CA Metropolitan Division | 0.40 | $50.31 | $104,640 |
Top paying non-metropolitan areas
| Area | Employment per 1000 jobs | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Coast, Region of California, nonmetropolitan area | 0.34 | $47.75 | $99,320 |
| Western Colorado – nonmetropolitan area | 0.30 | $37.97 | $78,970 |
| Eastern Wisconsin – nonmetropolitan area | 0.42 | $37.43 | $77,850 |
| Western Montana – nonmetropolitan area | 0.45 | $37.37 | $77,730 |
| Mother Lode – Region of California – nonmetropolitan area | 0.78 | $36.83 | $76,610 |
Ultrasound Tech Job Outlook
There is an expected growth of 23% for all workers in the diagnostic medical sonographers until 2026. This is considerably faster than the average of all occupations.
One of the main reasons for this growth is the expected technological advancements in the imagery field. Meaning more imagery will be used, in place of current costly medical procedures.
Couple this with the baby-boom population, an increase in medical insurance and availability of healthcare to a wider population, and the ever-aging population. These several reasons add confidence to the expected growth of the occupation.
Individuals who are certified are expected to have the best opportunities. Those who seek certification in more than one specialty also increase their opportunities. It’s an exciting time to become an ultrasound technician, with a varied and expansive range of job opportunities expected as technology and procedures advance.
