Are you interested in a career as an ultrasound tech? Ultrasound technicians play an important role in the medical field, providing invaluable information to physicians. But how much does this career pay?
An Ultrasound Technologist is a highly skilled medical technician who typically earns an impressive salary. On average, the national salary for an Ultrasound Technologist is $78,884 per year or $1,517 per week.
The median annual salary for a sonographer is $75,920, and the average pay range for an Ultrasound Technologist II ranges from $53,686 to $80,904.
In addition, those with an associate degree can expect to make an average of $68,750 or $33.05 per hour. The highest average salary for a Sonography Ultrasound Technician is in San Francisco at $112,402.
Overview of an Ultrasound Tech’s Role in Healthcare
Ultrasound technologists are highly skilled medical professionals who use specialized imaging equipment to generate diagnostic images.
They are an integral part of any healthcare practice, as they aid in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of medical conditions. Ultrasound technicians must have a strong knowledge base of the human body and excellent communication skills to interact with patients and their families.
They must also be able to interpret diagnostic data and provide physicians with the information they need to make informed decisions regarding patient care.
As such, ultrasound technicians are highly sought after and typically command higher wages than many other healthcare professions.
What Is the Average Pay of An Ultrasound Technologist?
The average pay of a sonographer or ultrasound technologist is quite attractive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for these professionals across the United States is $84,702, which is on par with other medical technicians.
The average salary for an Ultrasound Technologist II in the United States is $84,841 and Sonographers and Ultrasound Technicians have a mean annual salary of $80,680. There is a wide range in salary for ultrasound techs depending on factors like years of experience, specialization, and location.
The middle 57% of ultrasound techs earn salaries between $60,190 and $93,540 per year. For those just starting, the low-end pay can be as low as $46,000 annually.
Ultrasound Technician Salaries
Ultrasound technician salaries are among some of the highest of all medical technician fields. The mean annual pay for a sonographer is $80,680. However, the salary range for ultrasound technicians varies based on experience, specialization, and location.
The base salary for Ultrasound Technologist II ranges from $76,832 to $93,058 with the average base salary of $84,841. Salaries can be further impacted by geographic location, with the average salary for an Ultrasound Technician in Singapore at $4405 per month and $78368 per year in the US.
Furthermore, the middle 57% of ultrasound techs’ salaries range from $55500 to $81000 annually. Ultrasound techs with the RDMS certification earned a median salary of $70,037 in April 2021.
As you can see, many factors can influence an ultrasound technologist’s income and it’s important to understand these aspects before beginning a career as an ultrasound technician.
The National Average Salary for an Ultrasound Technician
An Ultrasound Technician’s salary can vary based on factors such as experience and specialization. The national average salary for an Ultrasound Technician is $70,764 in the United States.
This is an impressive sum, but it’s important to note that there is a wide range of salaries within the profession.
Factors such as experience, specialization, and location can all have an impact on an Ultrasound Technician’s salary.
Depending on these factors, salaries can range from around $59,640 to over $101,650. With experience and further education, Ultrasound Technicians can potentially earn higher salaries.
Salary Range for Ultrasound Techies in the US
The salary range for ultrasound techs in the US is quite broad. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for an ultrasound technologist is $77,988. However, salaries can vary greatly depending on location and experience.
For example, those in San Francisco make an average of $117,330 annually – 50% more than the national average. Additionally, the lowest 10% of ultrasound techs make about $50,000 a year while the highest 10% make around $106,000 or more annually.
On an hourly basis, ultrasound technologists make an average of $37.38 per hour. However, it’s important to note that factors such as specialization and years of experience can impact a technologist’s salary significantly.
The Middle 57% of Ultrasound Teches’ Salaries
The salaries of Ultrasound techs in the US range from $15,079 to $397,801, with a median salary of $72,288. The middle 57% of Ultrasound techs make an average of between $48,000 and $94,000 annually.
That means that the wages are fairly evenly distributed across the board, with no single salary range dominating the field. It’s important to note that the median salary is not the same as the average salary; rather, it is the midpoint of all salaries earned by Ultrasound teachers in the US.
This means that half of all Ultrasound teachers make more than the median salary, while half make less.
Factors that Impact an Ultrasound Technologist’s Income
An Ultrasound Technologist’s income is determined by a variety of factors. Education, experience, specialty, and location all play a role in determining an individual’s salary.
Generally speaking, entry-level technologists can expect to earn anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000, depending on the level of education and experience they have. Obtaining certification in the field can also increase an individual’s earning potential.
Additionally, sonographers who live and practice in higher-cost-of-living areas may find that their salaries are higher than those who live in more rural areas. Finally, the type of specialty in which sonographer practices can also affect their pay.
Sonographers who specialize in areas such as obstetrics and gynecology may receive higher pay than those who specialize in other areas.
Education and Training Requirements for a Career as an Ultrasound Technician
To become an ultrasound technician, an individual must first complete high school and earn a diploma or GED certificate. Following this, they must pursue a formal education in the field of diagnostic medical sonography.
Depending on their prior medical experience, they may choose to pursue either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in sonography from an accredited school.
The degree program typically lasts two years. To help in the search for a quality program, potential students may research popular ultrasound tech schools in Oklahoma to learn more about available education programs, certification requirements, and career opportunities.
Finding Job Opportunities as an Ultrasound Technician
Finding job opportunities as an ultrasound technician is relatively easy. There are many websites such as Indeed.com, Monster.com, and Glassdoor.com which list job postings and can help you find employment in the field.
Once you have your degree and certification, you may have the opportunity to work in a hospital, doctor’s office, diagnostic laboratory, medical center, or educational facility. Additionally, some staffing agencies can assist ultrasound technicians in finding part-time or contract work.
The median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers in May 2021 was $77,740 and the overall employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow at a rate of 14% from 2019 to 2029.
Lastly, UltrasoundJOBS by ARDMS is a great website to help make your job search easier by allowing you to post your resume, search job databases, and set up custom mobile alerts.