Ultrasound Technician Salary, School, Career and Training

Once you have determined that an ultrasound technician career is one that you may want to pursue, the first question that then comes to mind is how much money does the ultrasound technician make.  That is a very real concern and fortunately you have happened upon a very lucrative career, given the required education, that exists today.  Add to this a solid employment outlook with growing demand and the ultrasound technician career is very attractive.

The quick answer to the question of how much does and ultrasound technician make is that it depends on the industry you want to work in as an ultrasound technician and the geographic area where you plan to work.  The difference in salary can be significant given these two variables.

Consider that there are over 42 different industry classifications that employ ultrasound technicians.  The following chart lists a few of these industries and the average pay scale within each.  You will want to note that this is a single variable in the salary equation.  The second variable is where you live which we will consider after this first chart.

As you can see from the chart there is a very large difference in how much money you can expect to make between different industries that employ ultrasound technicians.  Of course each of these industries requires a different level of expertise as an ultrasound technician, as well as different specializations.  These charts will help you understand the variety within the career as well as help you plan your continuing education in order to direct your career to the industry you most want to work within.

The following chart shows the difference between pay for several different geographic regions.  For this chart we will use geographic data that is pulled from an average of all industries. 

As you can see there is a significant difference in income dependent upon the geographic region in which you work.  Of course this difference in pay also comes with a higher cost of living so you need to take into account that you may make less money in a different city or state, but the cost to live in that state may also be significantly less.  The amount of money your are paid is only one of many factors that need to be considered as you plan your career. We have written extensively about the typical salary of an Ultrasound Technician and also about the starting salary one can expect when starting out in this profession.

Salary of a Radiology Technician

The average radiology technician salary throughout the United States ranges from $21.50 per hour which is $44,730 per year for technicians in Alabama to $33.14 which is $68,940 per year for those technicians that are working in Maryland.  But these are average numbers for specific states and encompass a variety of factors that need to be taken into consideration when you are trying to determine what your personal salary expectations should be as a radiology technician that is working in your state.

The first thing to consider is that the numbers given in the first paragraph are averages across the state.  If we look into the numbers a little more deeply we will find that those two states can be further broken down into several percentile categories.  Consider the following chart:

As you can see from the above chart, the average radiology technician salary can cover a wide range over the course of the radiology technicians career.  Of course the entry level salary is oftentimes below the 10th percentile and the ending salary before retirement may oftentimes be higher than the 90th percentile.  It all depends on how you direct your career.

After considering the geographic pay differential, we then need to look at the pay differential between industries that hire radiology technicians.  For this we will use the following United States averages for radiology technician salaries.

You should note that the average radiology technician salary across the United States is somewhere in between the average salary for the states of Alabama and Maryland.  Using this statistic we can then look at how different industries affect your salary outlook as a radiology technician.  Remember that the United States average was in between that of Maryland and Alabama and therefore you can look at the United States average and add to it if you are in Maryland, New York, California or similar high cost of living state, or you can subtract from it if you live in Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, or some other lower cost of living state.

From this chart we can see that the specific industry you choose to work within as a radiology technician can make a big difference in your expected salary.  Of course each work environment is very different and you may find that a dentist office lacks opportunity or you may find that the research industry may want you to take a lot of continuing education.  Each industry has its pros and cons but from the above charts you can get a strong handle on your salary expectations as a radiology technician.

Salary Details of a X-Ray Technician

The X-Ray technician’s salary varies greatly depending on the amount of experience and the specialization for which the technician was trained.  There is not only variety between the specialization, but as with all occupations, there is a significant differentiation between the pay the same person will earn dependent upon what city or state they chose to work within.  This is expected because the cost of living in some cities is much more than others and as a result the salary of those that live and work in those cities needs to be higher than there occupational counterparts in cities and states with a lower cost of living.

The following chart shows the average annual wage for an x-ray technician in a few select states.

If you look at the above chart you can see that there is a significant range for x-ray technician salary dependent on where the technician is working.  There is a reason for this difference and even though it may be an instinct to want to earn the highest salary on the chart, you need to consider that a home in Kentucky may cost $90,000 and a similar home in California may cost $400,000.  It may be that making less and living in Kentucky affords you a better standard of living than making more and living in California.

In addition to noting the x-ray technician salary in different states you also need to understand that there are many industries that hire x-ray technicians.  The following chart highlights some different salaries that can be found for x-ray technicians that are working in different industries.

From the chart above you can see that it is not just where you live, but also what industry you serve as an x-ray technician.  What most people do not know is that x-ray technicians can be found in over 40 different occupational classifications and in dozens of different types of industries.  The x-ray technician is not just the person that works at the hospital and takes x-rays.  They are found in hospitals, doctors offices, factories, educational institutions, veterinary hospitals, and even governmental and private security firms.  An x-ray technician is a career that is in demand and has a strong outlook for the future.

Take some time to study the charts above and consider what industry you would most like to work in.  Do you want to work with manufacturing? Patients? Or even animals?  Think on these things and then look to see how where you live affects the projected pay scale.  Combine your analysis of both of these factors and you will have a good idea of your salary expectations as an x-ray technician.

Salary of a MRI Technician

The average MRI technician in the United States earns approximately $26.80 per hour which calculates out to $55,730 per year.  This figure is an average across the entire Untied States and incorporates the data from all 50 states as well as data for MRI technicians that work for the over 40 different industry classifications that hire MRI technicians.

These industries range from research laboratories, public and private hospitals, outpatient MRI services, and educational institutions that teach MRI procedures.  There are also many research facilities as well as consulting companies, some of which are not even medical related, that use the services of MRI technicians.  The following chart lists some of the industries along with the average MRI technician salary within those industries:

The above chart is great for reference not just for the salary ranges but also because it shows a variety of industries not traditionally considered by the average MRI technician.  The presumption is that the wholesale trades person is working more as an expert consultant while the state university positions are in education and teaching.  Both of these positions are not one on one with patients and are good for the technician that does not want to work directly with patients.

The following chart shows some average MRI technician salaries for those that do work one on one with patients.  This is where the majority of MRI technicians work.

From the chart above you can see the average salaries for the industries that employ the most MRI technicians across the nation.  You need to remember that all of these numbers are national averages and therefore are not completely accurate for any specific geographic location.  For example, if you are planning to live in New York City, New York or San Francisco, California you can expect that your salary would be far above the averages listed on the charts.  Whereas if you were to work in a small town in Kentucky or Alabama you would expect to have a salary that is below the national averages.

An ultrasound technician is probably one of those medical careers that is always in demand and one that the medical field cannot do without. Treating current medical conditions has always needed ultrasound technicians for clear diagnosis on the exact existing and preexisting conditions. An ultrasound technician is responsible for using diagnostic imaging with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These technicians – also known as sonographers – use sophisticated machines to examine patients through high frequency, radio waves. Obstetrics also use ultrasound to examine or measure the growth of the fetus in a woman’s womb. The equipment is non- invasive but views soft tissues, nerves and also organs. To be an experienced ultrasound technician you will study from one year to four years in a medical sonography program.

Ultrasound technicians are certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Benefits of a Career as an Ultrasound Technician

People who have taken this as their career choice enjoy the benefits that come along with it such as good salaries not to mention the satisfaction that one gets in contributing to determining and treating a patient. That said, despite the fantastic remuneration package, there is a lot that ultrasound technicians will need to sacrifice; the sensitivity and sometimes the complexity of this practice requires adequate training, good education, dedication and a lot of time. Most of these actually pay off. As an ultrasound technician you can get employment in a clinic, a private practice and in a hospital.

The duties that an ultrasound technician is typically required to do are: detailing the findings for a physician for a diagnosis, analyzing results and taking measurements if necessary, running and operating the ultrasound equipment. Patient care, instruments, medical ethics, basic physics, physiology and anatomy are some of the modules that the technician should be savvy in, all these are taught in two year program for a diploma and also in the four years for a Bachelors degree.

The starting salary for ultrasound technicians may vary depending on the hospital, experience and qualification. The least a fresh Ultrasound Tech can get paid will be in the range of $37,000 and $44,000.The average may be between $53,000 and $63,000. Keep in mind that there are a lot of determining factors such as expertise range and education and therefore these ranges can be taken as an exact measure. Additional qualifying factors can earn an Ultrasound Technician as much as $77,000 to $85,000. Striving to get a certified degree and more relevant experience will set you apart from others. In this field it is clear that there is need for more technicians and hence the attribute of flexibility. By working in shifts, an ultrasound technician can make even more money or you have the choice of working full time in the same working facility. Companies that use employment services mostly are known to pay well with a salary of $68,000 and more.

Hard Work Pays Off

Being one of the best paying jobs in the medical profession, an ultrasound technician can increase his or her wages by studying more and earning more experience. With a good experienced background and a great education, it is pretty much granted that a great salary package will follow. Location also is another factor that plays a big role in determining wages, especially starting salaries. The range of the salary will vary by state, you will find that most of the ultrasound technicians working in major cities being paid well.

How Much Do Ultrasound Technicians Make?

Salary ranges are always difficult to provide to those that are interested because each time you give a salary range you need to make certain that the reader understands the range is an average across all industries that employ ultrasound technicians and across all geographic and demographic areas.  For example, an ultrasound technician in medical laboratories oftentimes makes less than an ultrasound technician that works as an educator in a college or university.  The same for an those that live in different states.  The sonography technician that works in Ohio oftentimes makes as much as 25% less than the technician in California.  Yet the technician in the largest city of Ohio may make more than the technician in a very small town in California.  In the end you need to look at this information as a general picture of the overall ultrasound technician career.

The following chart is the wages/salary for ultrasound technicians across the United States in all industries.  The chart is broken down based on percentile.  The way percentile works is that the 20th percentile means that 20% of the ultrasound technicians make less than that amount of money across the United States across all industries that employ ultrasound technicians.

As you can see this is a career position that pays well.  Remember that these are percentile calculations across many industries and geographic regions.  I cannot stress enough how this skews the data.  For example, the following chart shows the averages for several states.  When looking at this chart only compare the 50th percentile calculation.  This chart is showing the differences that are made between different states.

For those that want to be very technical regarding the data in these charts, there is a difference in the statistics used for the above two charts.  The first chart lists percentile which translates to the median and the second chart lists average wage which is calculated slightly differently.  To be statistically correct the national average is $64,900 which is close enough for the purpose of this salary discussion.  The point is that the pay varies greatly in different geographic regions.  I have highlighted the national median to show how each chart interrelates with the other.

To demonstrate the differences between industries that employ ultrasound technicians consider the following chart.

As you can note from this chart there are different industries that employ ultrasound technicians.  Each of these industries requires the technician to perform their duties in a unique way and each industry has a different average pay structure. 

Hopefully the combination of these charts can help you understand what to expect as far as pay when you become an ultrasound technician.  Look at the charts, think about the industry in which you plan to work, and think how your geographic region compares to those provided as far as cost of living.  Combine these and you will have a good idea of salary expectations for your ultrasound technician career.

There are literally hundreds of ultrasound technician schools across the United States.  These schools offer a variety of certificate, associate, and baccalaureate programs.  There are even dozens of schools that are online that offer an ultrasound technician certificate.  The problem is that not all of these schools are created equal.  This is a brief overview of ultrasound technician schools.

The first thing you need to know about ultrasound technician schools is that not all of them are created equal.  Of course you probably know there are always some schools better than others, but in the case of ultrasound technician schools, the fact that the schools are different can mean the difference between securing a job as an ultrasound technician and having to re-take a program at a different school.

Of the hundreds of schools offering ultrasound technician curricula there are only 190 that are certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and there are only three of those 190 that offer an online educational option.  This means that the hundreds of other schools and dozens of other ultrasound technician educational online programs are not accredited by the premier accrediting agency for health training.  This means that if you attend and graduate a school that is not accredited you will be severely limiting the number of employers that will be willing to hire you.  This is not to say that those other programs are not good programs, but without accreditation, there are simply many employers that do not want to take the risk in hiring you.

It is also important to attend an accredited school because you cannot become a registered or certified medical sonographer without having graduated from an accredited program.  Once again, this means that you will be limiting your employment and advancement options because there are many employers that require all ultrasound technicians and sonographers to have certification.

The good news is that there are 190 fully accredited schools, all of which qualify you to sit for the certification exam upon graduation.  These 190 schools are located in over 42 different states and offer a tremendous variety in class schedules to accommodate almost any need.  This includes part time options as well as weekend and night class options.  There is no reason you cannot find a qualified and accredited school to fit your schedule and needs.  It simply would not be prudent to attend any other program.

You may have come across a school that is currently seeking accreditation.  You can attend one of these programs but if you graduate prior to their receiving accreditation or if they fail to get accredited, then you will have wasted those years by getting a degree that is not as valuable as if you simply chose an institution that was already accredited.  Along that same line you want to make certain whatever institution you attend is not up for recertification of their accredited status while you are attending.  You do not want to be in the middle of a program only to have its accreditation pulled in the midst of your education and then you graduate with a non accredited degree or certificate.

We talked about how to become an Ultrasound Technician previously, let us look at certification and licensing requirements in particular in this article. While it is not a state regulatory requirement it is commonplace for employers to require any newly hired ultrasound technician to be certified as an ultrasound technician by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).  This certification is only given to those ultrasound technicians that have successfully completed an associates degree or better level educational program from an accredited institution, passed an exam given by ARDMS, and commit to adhering to the professional standards and continuing education set forth by ARDMS.  The educational program accreditation must be given by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP).

In addition to their standard certification as an ultrasound technician, the ARDMS also has a series of additional credentials and certifications an ultrasound technician can acquire through one of their specialty credential and certification programs.  In order to achieve a specialty credential or certification as an ultrasound technician you first need to pass their initial exam which is called the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination.  After you have passed that exam then you need to pass their specialty exam.  For example, they have specialty exams in general sonography areas such as the abdomen, fetal echocardiography, neurosonolgy, and obstetrics or they have other certifications in areas such as pediatric echocardiology and even vascular technology.  There are several different credentials and certifications offered through ARDMS and all represent different career paths that an ultrasound technician can strive for as they proceed through their career.

The reason their is such a focus on certification is not only for the benefit of the standard ultrasound technician but also for all of the benefit of the specialties.  Employers are increasingly aware of the fact that they need to have personnel that has been properly trained on all of the latest technological advancements.  Whereas in the past when ultrasound equipment was not changing each year, a technician could be trained and have the same skill set for the rest of their career.  But these days the ultrasound technician needs to be repeatedly certified every few years and needs to be a part of continuing education in order to be fully trained and up to date on the latest in technological developments.  It is the certifying agencies that ensure the technician has mastered this training or they will withdraw certification from that particular ultrasound technician.

This process also ensures to the patient that they are getting the most advanced care available and are being handled by professionals that are fully trained in the latest medical developments.  The hiring of certified ultrasound technicians also insulates the referring medical professionals from lawsuits.  They would have a difficult time explaining to a medical board why they referred a patient to a non certified non credentialed ultrasound technician when there were others that were certified that were available.  The mere existence of a certification program makes the use of those certified by that program almost mandatory from the perspective of any doctor trying to mitigate their exposure to liability.  As a result anyone that is planning to enter this career in the future should plan to follow all of the necessary steps in order to become have ultrasound technician certification.

Educational Requirements

The educational requirements to become an ultrasound technician are different today than just a few years ago.  Even though there is no formal requirements given by the medical board or state regulatory agencies, the employers themselves are beginning to set a standard expectation by not hiring any new technicians that have not been formally trained within an education program designed for ultrasound technicians and certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Allie Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP).  These programs are primarily two year programs that are provided by colleges or vocational schools.  If the current trend continues, then it will likely be that in the future there will be a four year college requirement to become an ultrasound technician.

Certification and Licensing Requirements

While there are not any official government sanctioned licenses for ultrasound technicians there is an increasing demand by employers that the technician also be certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).  This organization issues certifications to ultrasound technicians that have graduated from a CAAHEP accredited educational program, have passed a competency exam given by ARDMS, and adhere to the ARDMS code of professional standards and ethics.

The ultrasound technician requirements within the accredited educational programs varies within each program, but certainly includes all of the related skills and information necessary to perform adequately as an ultrasound technician.  This would include mastery of all current ultrasound technology, the ability to interpret, read, and understand ultrasound images, the ability to communicate this analysis in writing and verbally, and the ability to understand all relevant medical terminology to the position.  The educational programs will also include aspects to ensure the future technician is experienced and able to follow written procedures, able to adhere to a time line and deadlines, as well as remain organized and able to complete work on an independent basis.  Of course all of this knowledge would be included and taught within any accredited educational program.

Physical Requirements

There are several physical requirements for an ultrasound technician to adequately perform their job.  The technician first and foremost needs to be able to see well.  They need to be able clearly see detail on paper, in person, and on a video screen.  The ultrasound technician position revolves around the creation of visual images and as such the technician needs to have good vision.  In addition to good vision the technician needs to be able to effective use their motor functions in order to handle the equipment and they need to be able to lift and maneuver patients in order to perform ultrasound tests.  The technician also needs to be able to transport the equipment to the patient, if the patient is not able to come to the technician.  Therefore the technician needs to be physically mobile.  The technician also needs good hearing and speech capabilities in order to effectively communicate with the patients.

Overall the ultrasound technician requirements are increasing as medical technology and diagnostic equipment advances.  The ultrasound technician needs to understand that they are entering a career path that will change over time, require constant learning, and will evolve with advancements in medical technology.

We already talked a bit about the job description and what exactly an Ultrasound Tech does in our previous articles. Let us today take a closer look at some of the job duties of an Ultrasound Technician. The Ultrasound technician has complete responsibility for all aspects of the ultrasound laboratory in which they work.  The laboratory can be simply an office or room within a hospital or a stand alone office or facility.  The ultrasound technician has a job where they interact with patients and their referring doctors on a daily basis but all reports, paperwork, and analysis is the sole responsibility of the technician.  This combination of fully independent work and regular communication with others is one thing that makes the ultrasound technician job attractive.  Some careers are overloaded with interpersonal time and others are filled with independent work without interaction from others.  But the ultrasound technician has a balance of both.

To understand the job duties of an ultrasound technician it would be helpful if we simply discuss a typical day for an ultrasound technician.  This interaction will show the various things the technician is responsible for handling.

When the ultrasound technician comes in for the day they first need to check the schedule of patients that they are going to test for that day.  The technician is solely responsible for keeping and making this schedule. They then need to review the charts and medical documentation for each patient and ensure that the proper medical supplies that will be needed for the day are stocked within the ultrasound lab.  They may also need to contact the doctor’s that have referred the days patients to seek any clarification on the tests that need to be performed.  Now that the supplies are accounted for, and the daily schedule has been checked, and the technician has a clear understanding of the patients needs for that day, the technician is ready to check the equipment.

The technician needs to check all of the equipment daily to ensure that it is properly functioning.  If there are any malfunctions, they need to fix them or get substitute equipment in immediately  in order to handle the days case load.  Once the equipment is checked, prepared, and calibrated for the day they are ready tot meet with patients.

When a patient arrives the technician needs to take great care to ensure that the patient they are seeing and testing matches the medical file they were sent.  An error in tracking or performing the wrong tests can cause a problem, and so the technician makes certain everything matches the file by causally talking with the patient.  The casual conversation will reflect things in the file in order to ensure everything matches.  They then describe the procedures that need to be done with the patient and explain to them what to expect.  Because some procedures are in sensitive areas, the technician needs to be a master at building strong rapport in order to gain cooperation and the trust of the patient.

During the procedure and test, the technician needs to take great care to still communicate to the patient but not to communicate any results of the test. This is because it is up to the technician to perform the test and communicate the results to the doctor only.  The technician is not allowed to interpret the tests because the interpretation is considered a diagnosis and that is something only the doctor can perform.

The technician is however responsible for gaining the best and most precise imaging of the areas they have been requested to test.  The technician is also expected to be cognizant of anything during the test that would require further imaging.  If there is something in the images that the doctor will want to see, even if not ordered, the technician is responsible for providing this extra information to the doctor.  It is not that the technician is performing a diagnosis, but they are responsible for making note of any thing that is abnormal during the tests.

After the patient leaves, the technician is responsible for preparing a full report on the test and the findings.  They then ship that report with the imaging video back to the referring doctor.  The referring doctor will oftentimes contact the technician for clarification on their report and/or images.

The above is a basic detail of an ultrasound technician’s job duties.  While it is far from all inclusive and many ultrasound technicians do not work in this specific type of environment, it shows how the technician is responsible for many different tasks.  They are responsible for their equipment, scheduling, reporting, analysis of patients and test results, reporting back to the doctor, and communicating with referring doctor’s as well as patients.  It also shows how the technician is responsible for one-on-one communication and physical contact with the patient.

This is a high skill and technical profession that utilizes specific testing equipment to assist physicians in making diagnosis for their patients.  The tests that the technician performs uses sonography to make an image of the the internal organs, tissues, and elements within the body of the patient.  This image allows the doctor to understand the internal systems of the patient without having to use an x-ray.  It is increasingly the trend for doctors to avoid x-ray’s and use ultrasound when possible in order to limit the total amount of radiation exposure for the patient.

The ultrasound technician spends a significant amount of their day in one-on-one direct contact with patients.  This is not only conversational but physical contact.  As such anyone that wishes to be a successful ultrasound technician must be comfortable with working physically close to all types of people, even those that have abrasive and difficult personalities as well as those that are physically and even mentally ill.

The technician is also responsible for significant record keeping for patients as well as administrative tracking.  They need to maintain the laboratory schedule as well as ensure that the proper tests are performed on the proper patient and that the patient they are seeing is properly identified and associated with the test ordered.  This may sound routine and as an average expectation, but patient tracking is a critical function for any medical professional because any slight mistake can have dire consequences for the patient.

The ultrasound technician must also have technical skills in analyzing the test results to ensure that the images produced reflect exactly what they referring physician needs to see.  The technician must also use independent judgment to notice when there are additional things in the images that the doctor needs to see more clearly and to ensure the doctor is aware of these additional concerns.  The technician is not a doctor, but is in a position to assist the doctor should they see anything out of the ordinary.  The technician must also make patient reports and observational communication reports to the referring physician on a daily basis.

The ultrasound technician job description is a mix of many high level skills.  They must be excellent communicators in order to make the patient feel comfortable and so the patient will allow what is oftentimes a very intrusive and uncomfortable procedure.  They must make certain the test is accurately delivering what they physician has requested as well as observe the results and the test to document and highlight any additional abnormalities.  They must have the ability to prepare thorough daily reports that communicate all findings to the referring physicians and they must be masters at keeping accurate and very detailed records of every test, procedure, and patient.

In addition to the above the physical demand of the position requires that the technician be able to have physical dexterity in bending, pushing, pulling, and leaning over patients.  They must have the ability to lift over forty pounds and be able to fully use their arms, legs, hands, and wrists.  They must also have good hearing in order to utilize the equipment properly as well as good vision in order to view and understand the images made by the diagnostic equipment.  The technician is also expected to stand for the majority of their day and they must be able to properly distinguish colors that appear on the testing equipment.