The Salary of Ultrasound Tech Careers

Ultrasound technicians, sometimes referred to as diagnostic medical sonographers, use sophisticated sonography equipment to generate images that allow physicians to diagnose and assess certain diseases and medical conditions. These medical professionals are frequently associated with the field of obstetrics because the high frequency sound waves used to generate the image do not cause any harm to an unborn baby. Ultrasound technicians are skilled professionals who are well compensated for their work.

Salary

• Ultrasound techs earned a median income of $61,980 per year as of May 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Salaries that year ranged from less than $43,600 to more than $83,950. Those who worked in physicians' offices typically earned more than those who worked in hospital environments.

Experience

• Experience plays an important role in determining the income of ultrasound techs. As of November 2010, new techs could expect to earn an hourly wage of $15-$23.09, according to PayScale.com. Ultrasound techs with more than five years experience averaged $24.52-$32.80 per hour. Techs with more than 10 years on the job could command up to $35 per hour.

Certification

• There is no requirement by any state for ultrasound technicians to be licensed, according to the BLS. Many employers, however, prefer to hire techs who are certified by independent credentialing organizations. Certification may also affect an ultrasound tech's income level. According to PayScale.com, techs who hold credentials from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists earned the highest average hourly wage, while those who held the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) credential earned the lowest average hourly wage.

Benefits

• Salary accounts for approximately 71 percent of an ultrasound tech's total compensation, according to Salary.com. Paid time off accounts for an additional 8.8 percent of compensation and employer contributions toward health insurance provides 6.7 percent. The remaining compensation is made up of employer contributions to private and government retirement programs, disability insurance and cash bonuses.

Employment Outlook

• The BLS expects job opportunities for ultrasound techs to grow faster than the general economy. Job opportunities are expected to vary by geographic location and those who are able to relocate should have the greatest employment opportunities. Ultrasound techs with multiple credentials and those willing to work in regions that have been traditionally under-served by the health care community, such as rural and inner city areas, may also have increased employment opportunities.