Home | Ultrasound Tech Schools Directory | Articles

Ultrasound Technicians

What is Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a form of non-invasive medical imaging, which uses transducers and high-frequency sound to image a patient's internal organs, tissues, and blood flow for the purpose of diagnosis. Diagnostic ultrasound is also referred to as sonography or ultrasonography.

Ultrasound Technician Salary Levels

How much does a job pay? Oftentimes that's the bottom line for job seekers. Fortunately, ultrasound tech salaries are more competitive than most in the allied health field. In some markets, a technologist salary can exceed $65,000. Read on to learn more about your ultrasound technician salary level. Learn more about Sonographer Salaries

What ultrasound salary should I expect?

• The mean annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers was $63,640 in May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10 percent of ultrasound tech salaries exceeded $85,000.
• An ultrasound technologist salary can vary depending on work setting. For example, the 2009 mean annual salary for those working in doctor offices was $63,820, while those working in hospitals earned $63,770.
• Salaries for ultrasound technicians also vary by state. In Connecticut, for example, ultrasound technicians earn a mean annual salary of $73,660, while in Alabama the average salary is $50,320.

How will experience affect my ultrasound salary?

• As is the case with other professions, ultrasound tech salaries will be lower for entry-level workers and higher for senior positions, such as a chief ultrasound technologist.
  
• According to the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, of those who make an income over $65,000 annually, 55% are age 50+ and 22% are under age 30.

What other salary considerations should I know about?

• According to Ultrasound Jobs, ultrasound technicians can expect lower pay if they're not registered with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
• Another factor for ultrasound tech salaries is the number of specialties you have. The more specialties (abdomen, breast, OB/GYN, etc.), the higher your pay.
• Lastly, your employer, background, level of education or certification, and state of residence can all affect your ultrasound salary