Ultrasound Technicians Job Overview
Ultrasound technicians use sound waves to develop an image of soft tissues in a patient’s body. This equipment collects reflected echoes and forms images that are then transmitted, photographed or videotaped for the physician’s interpretation and diagnosis. Ultrasound technicians are responsible for obtaining accurate and complete medical history of each patient. They need to analyze and record technical information and provide factually correct and detailed reports. Ultrasound technicians can choose to specialize in areas like abdominal sonography, breast sonography, neurosonography or obstetric and gynecologic sonography. In addition, they can also specialize in vascular or cardiac sonography.
Ultrasound Technicians Schools and Degrees
The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers offers certificates to ultrasound technicians. To obtain this, one must successfully complete an examination in physics and instrumentation, as well as a second examination in their specialty area. With 30 hours of continuing education credits, one can renew this certification every three years. Students can also opt for two and four year programs leading to associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. Employers also prefer candidates who attended a 1-year certificate program. Training is provided to sonographers at hospitals, trade and vocational schools and community colleges, as well as on the job.
Job Requirements
Ultrasound technicians should have good communication skills as they need to explain technical procedures and results to patients. They should also have good hand-eye coordination as it is extremely important to obtain quality images. A background in mathematics and science can prove to be an added advantage for those wishing to take up the profession. They should also be able to maintain accuracy in recording patient information and have the ability to understand the operation of complex diagnostic equipment.
Nature of Work
Ultrasound technicians work in clinics, hospitals or laboratories on a full or part-time basis. Sometimes they may need to work on weekends and holidays, or in shifts. They usually work with diagnostic imaging machines in darkened rooms, but may also perform procedures at patients’ bedsides. Ultrasound technicians may be prone to musculoskeletal disorders like neck and back strain, carpel tunnel syndrome and eye strain. Those working as contract employees may be required to travel to health care facilities. Most ultrasound technicians work about 40 hours a week. However, those who employed in hospitals must be ready to report to work on short notice.
Ultrasound Technicians Jobs and Outlook
According to research in 2006, ultrasound technicians held about 46,000 jobs in the US. Employment opportunities in this field are expected to grow by 19% in the next ten years. Industries offering the highest levels of employment to ultrasound technicians are:
- Employment Services
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
- Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories
- Offices of Physicians
- Outpatient Care Centers
The mean hourly wage for ultrasound technicians in the US is about $29.13, while the mean annual wages are around $60,590.
Job Numbers and Growth Ultrasound techs nationally number 46,000. The unemployment level for workers is very low, compared to other occupations. About 1% of employees were unemployed recently. Area Job Conditions Ultrasound techs are relatively common in Sebastian (Florida), Florence (Alabama), and Ann Arbor (Michigan). They are rarer in Austin (Texas), Oxnard (California), and Las Vegas (Nevada). Workers are paid highest in Santa Cruz (California), San Jose (California), and Oakland (California), and lowest in Sioux Falls (South Dakota), Charleston (West Virginia), and Little Rock (Arkansas). Training and Education Employees are generally expected to have an associate degree. About 25% of ultrasound techs hold a bachelor's degree or better. Currently 68% of workers have some college education, though not a degree. About 7% of employees were able to get their jobs with a high-school diploma. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career. Part-Time Work and Self-Employment About 17% of ultrasound techs work less than full-time. In 1% of the cases, workers work for themselves.
Ultrasound Techs by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings) In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation. Alabama | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Anniston | $52,000 | 30 | +112% | | Birmingham | $52,000 | 310 | +73% | | Decatur | | 30 | +83% | | Dothan | $53,000 | 40 | +118% | | Florence | $47,000 | 50 | +226% | | Huntsville | $47,000 | 120 | +73% | | Mobile | $50,000 | 80 | +31% | | Montgomery | $51,000 | 50 | -12% | | Tuscaloosa | $48,000 | 70 | +146% |
Alaska | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Anchorage | $74,000 | 40 | -25% |
Arizona | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Phoenix | $67,000 | 490 | -24% | | Tucson | $64,000 | 170 | +35% |
Arkansas | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Fayetteville | $64,000 | 40 | -39% | | Fort Smith | $53,000 | 30 | -21% | | Little Rock | $46,000 | 200 | +73% |
California | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bakersfield | $55,000 | 100 | +11% | | Fresno | $68,000 | 150 | +33% | | Modesto | $61,000 | 140 | +158% | | Oakland | $82,000 | 280 | -22% | | Riverside | $70,000 | 420 | -5% | | Sacramento | $76,000 | 230 | -25% | | Salinas | $77,000 | 30 | -41% | | San Diego | $77,000 | 400 | -14% | | San Francisco | $80,000 | 320 | -8% | | San Jose | $87,000 | 290 | -9% | | San Luis Obispo | $64,000 | 30 | -6% | | Santa Ana | $73,000 | 440 | -17% | | Santa Cruz | $95,000 | 40 | +44% | | Santa Rosa | $77,000 | 70 | +14% | | Stockton | $76,000 | 80 | +12% | | Vallejo | $75,000 | 40 | +1% |
Colorado | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Boulder | $70,000 | 70 | +32% | | Colorado Springs | $69,000 | 70 | -17% | | Denver | $72,000 | 350 | -19% | | Fort Collins | $66,000 | 50 | +28% |
Connecticut | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bridgeport | $77,000 | 230 | +54% | | Danbury | $72,000 | 50 | +126% | | Hartford | $80,000 | 220 | +10% | | New Haven | $69,000 | 220 | +132% | | Norwich | $73,000 | 60 | +49% | | Waterbury | $70,000 | 40 | +89% |
Delaware | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Wilmington | $68,000 | 100 | -11% |
District of Columbia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Washington | $69,000 | 580 | -28% |
Florida | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Cape Coral | $60,000 | 150 | +114% | | Fort Lauderdale | $59,000 | 350 | +38% | | Gainesville | $51,000 | 60 | +62% | | Jacksonville | $57,000 | 380 | +83% | | Lakeland | $53,000 | 100 | +55% | | Miami | $58,000 | 640 | +86% | | Naples | $65,000 | 40 | +3% | | Ocala | $49,000 | 40 | +33% | | Orlando | $55,000 | 690 | +90% | | Palm Bay | $57,000 | 120 | +83% | | Pensacola | $48,000 | 120 | +145% | | Port St Lucie | $63,000 | 70 | +70% | | Sarasota | $51,000 | 130 | +47% | | Sebastian | $59,000 | 50 | +246% | | Tallahassee | $56,000 | 40 | -26% | | Tampa | $61,000 | 500 | +19% | | West Palm Beach | $63,000 | 260 | +41% |
Georgia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Atlanta | $63,000 | 600 | -27% | | Augusta | $54,000 | 70 | +2% | | Columbus | $55,000 | 40 | +14% | | Savannah | $54,000 | 70 | +42% | | Valdosta | $53,000 | 30 | +77% |
Hawaii | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Honolulu | $69,000 | 140 | -6% |
Idaho | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Boise | $61,000 | 80 | -12% |
Illinois | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Champaign | $69,000 | 40 | +34% | | Chicago | $70,000 | 1,070 | -19% | | Peoria | $72,000 | 130 | +131% | | Rockford | $73,000 | 70 | +40% | | Springfield | $64,000 | 70 | +112% |
Indiana | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Elkhart | $57,000 | 40 | -5% | | Evansville | $52,000 | 100 | +73% | | Fort Wayne | $59,000 | 90 | +27% | | Gary | $68,000 | 100 | +6% | | Indianapolis | $61,000 | 350 | +13% | | South Bend | $57,000 | 40 | -10% |
Iowa | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $59,000 | 50 | +14% | | Davenport | $51,000 | 50 | -18% | | Des Moines | $54,000 | 80 | -28% | | Iowa City | $57,000 | 40 | +79% |
Kansas | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Topeka | $55,000 | 70 | +97% | | Wichita | $65,000 | 150 | +45% |
Kentucky | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Lexington | $57,000 | 70 | -14% | | Louisville | $56,000 | 210 | -1% |
Louisiana | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Alexandria | $52,000 | 30 | +64% | | Baton Rouge | $57,000 | 110 | -12% | | Lafayette | $57,000 | 40 | -16% | | Lake Charles | $53,000 | 50 | +82% | | Monroe | $62,000 | 30 | +22% | | New Orleans | $59,000 | 200 | +14% | | Shreveport | $60,000 | 90 | +55% |
Maine | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Portland | $66,000 | 50 | -26% |
Maryland | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Baltimore | $72,000 | 500 | +10% | | Bethesda | $67,000 | 280 | +42% | | Hagerstown | $60,000 | 50 | +58% | | Salisbury | $73,000 | 40 | +152% |
Massachusetts | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Boston | $74,000 | 490 | -18% | | Brockton | $75,000 | 40 | +42% | | Springfield | $68,000 | 140 | +38% | | Worcester | $89,000 | 90 | +8% |
Michigan | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Ann Arbor | $59,000 | 130 | +137% | | Detroit | $60,000 | 260 | +6% | | Flint | $55,000 | 60 | +34% | | Grand Rapids | $62,000 | 130 | +0% | | Kalamazoo | $61,000 | 60 | +35% | | Lansing | $50,000 | 80 | +25% | | Muskegon | $64,000 | 40 | +117% | | Saginaw | $56,000 | 40 | +68% | | Warren | $58,000 | 450 | +12% |
Minnesota | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Duluth | $60,000 | 60 | +45% | | Minneapolis | $68,000 | 710 | +14% | | St Cloud | $72,000 | 40 | +22% |
Mississippi | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Hattiesburg | $55,000 | 40 | +131% | | Jackson | $52,000 | 160 | +87% |
Missouri | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Kansas City | $65,000 | 340 | -5% | | St Louis | $60,000 | 370 | -21% |
Nebraska | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Omaha | $62,000 | 260 | +64% |
Nevada | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Las Vegas | $68,000 | 60 | -81% | | Reno | $71,000 | 30 | -57% |
New Hampshire | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Manchester | $68,000 | 40 | +19% | | Nashua | $68,000 | 40 | -12% |
New Jersey | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Atlantic City | $72,000 | 60 | +23% | | Camden | $70,000 | 230 | +26% | | Edison | $66,000 | 380 | +6% | | Newark | $68,000 | 630 | +80% | | Trenton | $71,000 | 80 | +11% | | Vineland | $66,000 | 50 | +187% |
New Mexico | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Albuquerque | $63,000 | 150 | +12% | | Las Cruces | $53,000 | 40 | +113% |
New York | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Albany | $62,000 | 190 | +27% | | Binghamton | $66,000 | 30 | -12% | | Buffalo | $59,000 | 230 | +24% | | Nassau | $64,000 | 940 | +116% | | New York | $66,000 | 1,960 | +10% | | Poughkeepsie | $69,000 | 150 | +87% | | Rochester | $59,000 | 250 | +45% | | Syracuse | $62,000 | 100 | -5% | | Utica | $60,000 | 80 | +93% |
North Carolina | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Asheville | $56,000 | 120 | +103% | | Charlotte | $64,000 | 260 | -15% | | Durham | $59,000 | 100 | +8% | | Fayetteville | $65,000 | 30 | -24% | | Greensboro | $64,000 | 160 | +26% | | Greenville | $59,000 | 50 | +126% | | Hickory | $56,000 | 70 | +30% | | Raleigh | $59,000 | 160 | -9% | | Wilmington | $57,000 | 60 | +27% | | Winston Salem | $61,000 | 120 | +66% |
Ohio | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Akron | $56,000 | 150 | +31% | | Canton | $55,000 | 90 | +56% | | Cincinnati | $58,000 | 450 | +25% | | Cleveland | $55,000 | 530 | +44% | | Columbus | $63,000 | 280 | -13% | | Dayton | $58,000 | 200 | +50% | | Lima | $59,000 | 30 | +90% | | Youngstown | $52,000 | 80 | +2% |
Oklahoma | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Oklahoma City | $59,000 | 230 | +18% | | Tulsa | $55,000 | 150 | +0% |
Oregon | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bend | $76,000 | 40 | +88% | | Medford | $69,000 | 40 | +50% | | Portland | $80,000 | 270 | -25% | | Salem | $78,000 | 40 | -19% |
Pennsylvania | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Allentown | $57,000 | 180 | +56% | | Erie | $58,000 | 50 | +23% | | Harrisburg | $55,000 | 120 | +12% | | Lancaster | $60,000 | 60 | -24% | | Philadelphia | $61,000 | 660 | +1% | | Pittsburgh | $52,000 | 510 | +29% | | Scranton | $65,000 | 60 | -31% | | Williamsport | $51,000 | 30 | +97% | | York | $55,000 | 40 | -33% |
Rhode Island | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Providence | $71,000 | 250 | +28% |
South Carolina | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Charleston | $55,000 | 170 | +72% | | Greenville | $58,000 | 80 | -23% | | Myrtle Beach | $52,000 | 30 | -22% |
South Dakota | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Rapid City | $57,000 | 40 | +108% | | Sioux Falls | $51,000 | 60 | +33% |
Tennessee | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Chattanooga | $57,000 | 130 | +66% | | Jackson | $53,000 | 60 | +243% | | Knoxville | $52,000 | 240 | +111% | | Memphis | $51,000 | 330 | +54% | | Nashville | $64,000 | 240 | -9% |
Texas | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Austin | $60,000 | 270 | +3% | | Beaumont | $56,000 | 50 | -4% | | Brownsville | $69,000 | 40 | 0% | | College Station | $64,000 | 30 | +24% | | Corpus Christi | $61,000 | 50 | -14% | | Dallas | $63,000 | 540 | -26% | | El Paso | $54,000 | 80 | -10% | | Fort Worth | $63,000 | 200 | -33% | | Houston | $60,000 | 800 | -11% | | Killeen | $58,000 | 30 | -22% | | Lubbock | $58,000 | 50 | +27% | | Mcallen | $63,000 | 70 | -5% | | San Antonio | $60,000 | 270 | -7% | | Victoria | $52,000 | 40 | +189% |
Utah | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Provo | $61,000 | 70 | +28% | | Salt Lake City | $58,000 | 160 | -26% |
Vermont | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Burlington | $60,000 | 40 | +13% |
Virginia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Lynchburg | $65,000 | 40 | +25% | | Richmond | $63,000 | 200 | -3% | | Roanoke | $61,000 | 80 | +54% | | Virginia Beach | $60,000 | 180 | -31% |
Washington | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Kennewick | $69,000 | 30 | +6% | | Olympia | $74,000 | 40 | +35% | | Seattle | $78,000 | 520 | +4% | | Spokane | $69,000 | 110 | +57% | | Tacoma | $73,000 | 80 | -12% | | Yakima | $79,000 | 30 | +19% |
West Virginia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Huntington | $57,000 | 50 | +37% |
Wisconsin | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Appleton | $65,000 | 40 | +9% | | Eau Claire | $61,000 | 30 | +25% | | Green Bay | $66,000 | 40 | -27% | | Madison | $70,000 | 110 | -3% | | Milwaukee | $73,000 | 350 | +19% | | Oshkosh | $70,000 | 40 | +51% |
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