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Ultrasound technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $67,820lowest 10% earn less
- $80,43025th percentile
- $96,590median
- $106,93075th percentile
- $129,370top 10% earn more
An ultrasound technician, officially a diagnostic medical sonographer, earned a median of $96,590 a year in May 2025[1]. The usual way in is an associate's degree, and BLS expects jobs to grow 13.9% over the decade to 2035[2][3].
How much do ultrasound technicians make?
The median pay for diagnostic medical sonographers was $96,590 a year, or $46.44 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more than that and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) wage was $97,240 a year and $46.75 an hour[7], so the typical and average figures sit close together.
That is nearly twice the median for all US occupations, which was $50,980[1][5].
Pay still varies from one worker to the next. BLS reports percentiles, which are boundaries rather than a starting salary[8].
| Percentile | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 10th[4][9] | $67,820 | $32.60 |
| 25th[4][9] | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| 50th (median)[1] | $96,590 | $46.44 |
| 75th[4][9] | $106,930 | $51.41 |
| 90th[4][9] | $129,370 | $62.20 |
In plain terms, the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $67,820, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $129,370[4].
These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary, full time and part time[10]. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include nonproduction bonuses or what employers spend on benefits like health insurance[10]. Only 1.1% of these workers were self-employed in 2025[11].
Pay by state and city
Where you work makes a big difference. California had the highest state median at $128,530[12]. Next came Hawaii ($124,430), Washington ($121,340), Oregon ($120,220) and the District of Columbia ($112,020)[12]. At the other end, Alabama had the lowest median of the states listed, at $68,180[12].
California also had the most jobs, with 10,110[13]. Texas (6,960), New York (6,880), Florida (6,670) and New Jersey (3,370) followed[13]. Keep in mind that Texas and Florida, both big employers, had medians below the national figure: $92,580 and $82,940[12].
California also dominates city pay. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the top medians were[14]:
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $173,150[14]
- Vallejo, CA: $171,170[14]
- Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA: $163,220[14]
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA: $160,270[14]
- Modesto, CA: $141,210[14]
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA was the only metro outside California in the top eight, at $129,960[14].
For sheer number of jobs, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area led with 7,020 and a median of $107,250[15]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim came second with 3,550 jobs and a median of $119,430[15]. Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami and Houston rounded out the list[15].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| California[12] | $128,530 | 10,110 |
| Hawaii | $124,430 | 210 |
| Washington | $121,340 | 2,190 |
| Oregon | $120,220 | 1,210 |
| District of Columbia | $112,020 | 160 |
| Colorado | $108,410 | 1,430 |
| Massachusetts | $107,480 | 2,190 |
| Alaska | $105,670 | 140 |
| Vermont | $104,100 | 140 |
| New York | $103,920 | 6,880 |
| New Hampshire | $103,760 | 400 |
| Connecticut | $103,230 | 990 |
| New Jersey | $103,150 | 3,370 |
| Minnesota | $102,850 | 1,710 |
| Wisconsin | $102,090 | 1,530 |
| Montana | $101,000 | 230 |
| Illinois | $100,660 | 3,270 |
| Wyoming | $100,650 | 90 |
| Missouri | $100,130 | 1,930 |
| Utah | $100,100 | 740 |
| Arizona | $100,040 | 2,070 |
| Idaho | $99,920 | 510 |
| Maryland | $99,210 | 1,760 |
| Delaware | $98,530 | 220 |
| Kansas | $96,310 | 670 |
| Nevada | $95,980 | 640 |
| Virginia | $95,660 | 2,160 |
| Maine | $95,230 | 380 |
| Rhode Island | $92,820 | 380 |
| Texas | $92,580 | 6,960 |
| Kentucky | $91,230 | 940 |
| New Mexico | $87,210 | 410 |
| Iowa | $86,480 | 740 |
| North Carolina | $86,010 | 2,970 |
| Indiana | $85,040 | 1,380 |
| North Dakota | $84,340 | 240 |
| Oklahoma | $83,670 | 1,060 |
| South Carolina | $83,290 | 1,340 |
| Georgia | $83,250 | 2,700 |
| Florida | $82,940 | 6,670 |
| Ohio | $82,870 | 3,160 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,710 | 2,980 |
| Nebraska | $82,670 | 780 |
| Michigan | $82,490 | 3,100 |
| Arkansas | $81,500 | 640 |
| South Dakota | $80,820 | 370 |
| Louisiana | $80,710 | 1,150 |
| Tennessee | $80,640 | 1,880 |
| West Virginia | $76,820 | 780 |
| Mississippi | $76,520 | 700 |
| Alabama | $68,180 | 1,510 |
How to become an ultrasound technician
BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical education for entry[2]. It also says no related work experience and no on-the-job training are typically needed to start[2]. The Occupational Outlook Handbook adds that a postsecondary certificate can also be a way in[16].
1) Prepare in high school (optional). Classes in anatomy, physiology, physics and math can help[17]. 2) Choose a sonography program. Two-year and four-year schools offer associate's and bachelor's programs in sonography[18]. Some hospitals and colleges run certificate programs too[18]. 3) Complete the coursework. Expect anatomy, medical terminology and applied sciences, plus focused training in areas such as abdominal or breast sonography[19]. 4) Train in a clinical setting. Programs usually include supervised clinical work in a hospital, doctor's office or imaging lab, and students earn credit for it[19]. 5) Check licensing and certification. Some states require a license[20]. Employers may ask for, or favor, professional certification as proof of skill[21]. You may also need basic life support (BLS) or CPR certification[22].
O*NET rates the job as needing medium preparation (Job Zone Three)[23].
The qualities BLS highlights are clear communication with patients and doctors[24], close attention to detail because problem areas on an image can be subtle[25], good hand-eye coordination for moving the equipment while watching the screen[26], patience with people in pain[27], and the stamina to stand a long time and help move patients[28].
What ultrasound technicians do
Sonographers use ultrasound to make recordings of internal organs that physicians use[29]. The O*NET category also covers vascular technologists[29]. Workers report titles such as cardiovascular sonographer, echo tech and staff sonographer[30].
Typical tasks include[31]:
- Running ultrasound equipment to capture images of organs, tissues, blood flow and masses such as fluid buildup[31]
- Watching the screen during a scan and adjusting the machine until the image is good enough for diagnosis[31]
- Picking which images to keep, comparing healthy and diseased areas[31]
- Setting up the machine and moving the patient to get the best angle[31]
- Explaining the exam, getting the patient onto the table and applying gel[31]
- Taking a patient history, including earlier test results[31]
- Giving the physician the images plus a spoken or written summary of what they found[31]
- Deciding whether the exam needs to go further based on what shows up[31]
Where they work
Hospitals (state, local and private) were the largest employer, with 58% of these jobs in 2025[32].
Most of the day is spent at imaging machines in rooms with low light[33]. The job can mean long stretches on your feet and lifting or turning patients who are sick or disabled[33]. Sonographers work on a team with physicians, surgeons, registered nurses and other health workers[34].
BLS says most sonographers work full time[35]. Since some medical facilities never close, shifts can fall on evenings, weekends or overnight[35].
Job outlook
BLS expects the number of diagnostic medical sonographer jobs to rise by 13.9% between 2025 and 2035[3]. That means going from about 92,200 jobs to 105,100[3]. That is far faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations[36].
The main reason is demand. Ultrasound is being used in patient care across more and more clinical specialties, which BLS expects to raise the need for sonographers[37].
About 6,000 openings are expected each year, on average[6]. That count includes jobs freed up when workers retire or switch fields, not just newly created ones[6]. Each year, about 2.4% of workers are projected to leave the labor force and 2.4% to move into a different occupation[38].
The projection counts (92,200 in 2025) are a bit higher than the wage survey count of about 90,160 jobs[39][3]. The two counts are different measures, and the projection counts include self-employed workers[3].
Is it a good fit?
On the numbers, this job pays close to twice the all-occupations median[1][5] with an associate's degree as the typical entry education[2]. Projected growth of 13.9% is well above the all-jobs rate of 3.5%[3][36]. It may suit someone who is comfortable with patients, steady with their hands and fine standing for long periods[26][27][28]. Pay depends heavily on location, from $68,180 in Alabama to $128,530 in California at the state median[12]. Some roles involve nights or weekends[35], and some states require a license[20].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an ultrasound technician make an hour?
- The median hourly wage was $46.44 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $32.60 an hour and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $62.20[9].
- What degree do you need to be an ultrasound technician?
- BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education[2]. Postsecondary certificates and bachelor's degrees in sonography are also available[16][18].
- Do ultrasound technicians need a license?
- Some do. Certain states require a license, and employers may require or prefer professional certification[20][21]. CPR or basic life support certification may also be needed[22].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the US was $96,590 per year and $46.44 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers is projected to grow 13.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 92,200 to 105,100 jobs (a change of +12,900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: 10th percentile $67,820, 25th percentile $80,430, 75th percentile $106,930, 90th percentile $129,370. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 6,000 openings for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers was $97,240 per year and $46.75 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: 10th percentile $32.60, 25th percentile $38.67, 75th percentile $51.41, 90th percentile $62.20. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 1.1% of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Median annual wage for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Diagnostic Medical Sonographers jobs: California 10,110; Texas 6,960; New York 6,880; Florida 6,670; New Jersey 3,370. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $173,150; Vallejo, CA $171,170; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $163,220; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $160,270; Modesto, CA $141,210; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $132,490; Stockton-Lodi, CA $130,210; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $129,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Diagnostic Medical Sonographers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 7,020 (median $107,250); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 3,550 (median $119,430); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,280 (median $103,080); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 2,160 (median $98,810); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 1,910 (median $86,250); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 1,670 (median $95,100). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 29-2032.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 29-2032.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Cardiovascular Sonographer, Echo Tech (Echocardiographic Technician), Echosonographer Technologist (Echo Technologist), Medical Sonographer, RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer), Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer, RVT (Registered Vascular Technologist), Staff Sonographer. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of diagnostic medical sonographers in 2025: Hospitals; state, local, and private 58%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: Demand change - share increases as ultrasound technology is increasingly used in patient care across a broad range of clinical specialties, resulting in increased demand for sonographers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: 2.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 90,160 people were employed as Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.