If you’re thinking about a career in healthcare, becoming an ultrasound technician is a smart choice in 2025. This job is in high demand, and the pay continues to rise each year.
In this Ultrasound Tech Salary Guide, we’ll explore average sonographer salaries, what influences their earnings, and how you can boost your income. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to level up, understanding the numbers is key.
From the average ultrasound technician salary to the top-paying states and specialties, this guide has it all. We’ll also talk about education, ultrasound certification requirements, and the future ultrasound job outlook in the U.S.
With technology improving and demand growing, diagnostic medical sonographers are becoming vital members of the healthcare team.
If you’re ready to start a stable, well-paying ultrasound technician career, this is the perfect time to begin. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know to thrive in this rewarding field.
What Does an Ultrasound Technician Do?
An ultrasound technician career involves using sound waves to capture images of the inside of the body. These images help doctors diagnose illnesses, track pregnancies, and guide medical procedures.
Their daily tasks include prepping patients, operating ultrasound machines, and collaborating with radiologists.
Ultrasound techs are also known as diagnostic medical sonographers. They may specialize in areas like cardiac sonography, OB/GYN ultrasound, or pediatric echocardiography.
Their skills are essential in modern healthcare, and the demand for qualified professionals is growing.
In a typical workday, they ensure image quality, maintain patient comfort, and often explain procedures to ease anxiety.
With strong attention to detail and a caring approach, medical imaging specialists make a real difference in patient care every single day.
How Much Do Ultrasound Techs Make on Average?
The average ultrasound technician salary in 2025 is impressive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median salary for sonographers is $84,470 per year, or $40.61 per hour.
That’s well above the average for many high-paying $30 an hour jobs, making it a strong healthcare career option.
But other sources, like Payscale, show numbers around $70,366 annually. So, ultrasound tech pay can vary widely based on location and experience.
Factors like your ultrasound certification requirements, geographic location, and specialty in diagnostic medical sonography can all influence your earnings.
Understanding these details helps you plan your ultrasound technician career wisely and maximize your income in this growing field.
Here’s a salary range breakdown:
| Experience Level | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
| Entry-Level | $30.61 | $63,680 |
| National Median | $40.61 | $84,470 |
| Top 10% | $55.91 | $116,300 |
These figures show that sonographer pay per hour grows steadily as you gain experience.
Ultrasound Tech Salary by State: Where Do They Earn the Most?
Ultrasound tech salary by state shows major differences. States with high costs of living often offer higher wages. Some of the highest paying states for ultrasound techs in 2025 include:
| State | Average Salary |
| Alaska | $145,915 |
| California | $143,056 |
| Hawaii | $133,693 |
| Washington | $131,778 |
| Washington, D.C. | $124,344 |
Curious which states offer the highest pay for sonographers? The West Coast and Alaska consistently lead the charts. These are the best states for ultrasound tech salary today.
How Experience Affects Ultrasound Tech Pay
Experience is one of the key factors influencing ultrasound technician salaries. Entry-level techs may start at $27–$30 per hour, but tenured professionals can earn more than $40 per hour. As your skills and certifications grow, so does your pay.
Specializing in areas like vascular sonography or pediatric echocardiography can significantly boost your earnings.
In addition, pursuing continuing education or advanced credentials can unlock opportunities for leadership roles or higher-paying positions in top facilities.
Here’s how earnings typically grow with experience in this field:
| Years of Experience | Average Hourly Wage |
| Less than 1 year | $27.25 |
| 1-4 years | $30.85 |
| 5-9 years | $31.80 |
| 10-19 years | $38.70 |
| 20+ years | $38.36 |
As a certified ultrasound tech, you can negotiate higher salaries as you gain more clinical hours and responsibilities.
Ultrasound Tech Salary by Work Setting and Industry
Where you work also plays a big role in salary. A per diem sonographer or one working in outpatient care will often earn more than hospital staff. Shift timing and benefits may vary as well.
Facilities like diagnostic imaging centers, private clinics, and specialized labs tend to offer higher pay, especially when combined with shift differential pay or on-call sonography jobs.
These roles often come with added flexibility and potential bonuses, making them attractive to experienced professionals seeking to maximize income.
Here’s a breakdown by work environment:
| Work Setting | Average Salary |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $123,020 |
| Management Enterprises | $107,520 |
| Colleges and Universities | $92,260 |
| Offices of Physicians | $86,650 |
| Specialty Hospitals | $95,920 |
Unusual shift hours can increase earnings, especially for on-call roles or those offering shift differentials.
Other Key Factors That Affect Your Salary
Beyond location and experience, many other things influence sonography salary. Your education level, certifications, and area of specialization all make a difference.
Having an associate degree in sonography is the minimum, but a bachelor’s degree opens doors to leadership roles.
Your focus area also matters. Top-paying sonography specialties include vascular sonographer, cardiac sonography, and pediatric echocardiography. Advanced credentials can boost your pay and make you stand out in medical imaging jobs.
Some employers also reward technicians with bonuses or higher rates if they hold multiple certifications or are trained across multiple departments like OB/GYN, abdominal, and musculoskeletal sonography.
How to Make More Money as an Ultrasound Technician
If you’re wondering how to increase ultrasound tech salary, there are several strategies.
First, you can ask for more shifts with higher pay. Some hospitals offer bonuses for weekends or overnight shifts. Others pay more for difficult or high-demand specialties.
Another way to earn more is by upgrading your education and certifications. Certification plays a key role—being board-certified makes you more competitive.
You can find valuable certification resources at the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS). You can also explore how to negotiate sonographer salary with your employer based on your training, performance, and regional demand.
Many professionals also switch to per diem sonographer roles or explore contract work to take advantage of higher hourly wages.
Combining multiple specialties like cardiac sonography or OB/GYN ultrasound can also boost your value and income over time.
Related Medical Careers and Their Salaries
It helps to compare ultrasound tech salary vs MRI tech and other roles. Here’s a quick snapshot of healthcare technician salary data:
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Radiologic Technologist | $78,980 |
| MRI Technician | $78,980 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,450 |
| Cardiovascular Technician | $67,260 |
While salaries are similar across roles, ultrasound technicians often see faster job growth and more opportunities.
Is Becoming an Ultrasound Tech Worth It?
This is a question many ask: is becoming an ultrasound tech worth it? The answer is yes. You can earn a great salary with just a two-year associate degree in sonography.
Your education costs are lower compared to many other healthcare fields, yet the salary is high.
On top of great pay, the job outlook for ultrasound technicians remains highly positive. The BLS predicts an 11% growth from 2023 to 2033.
With aging populations and more non-invasive diagnostics needed, jobs in diagnostic medical sonography will remain in demand.
Many sonographers also enjoy a good work-life balance, flexible scheduling, and opportunities to specialize in fields like OB/GYN ultrasound, vascular sonography, or pediatric echocardiography, which can further enhance job satisfaction and earnings.
Summary: Key Takeaways on Ultrasound Tech Salary in 2025
If you’re asking how much do ultrasound techs make, the answer depends on your experience, where you live, and where you work.
Ultrasound tech salary by state shows big differences, and specialties like cardiac sonography or vascular sonographer roles pay more.
To grow your income, become a certified ultrasound tech, seek per diem sonographer roles, or work shifts that offer shift differential pay. Stay updated with your ultrasound certification requirements and never stop learning.
Whether you’re just starting or want to change careers, the path of a medical imaging specialist offers high earning potential, job security, and real purpose. The future is bright for those in ultrasound technician career fields across the U.S.
Now is the perfect time to invest in this rewarding career—where your skills truly make a difference and your paycheck reflects your expertise.
FAQS
1. What is the highest ultrasound tech salary?
The highest paid ultrasound techs typically specialize in cardiac sonography or pediatric echocardiography, earning over $100,000 per year.
2. How much do ultrasound tech salary in Iowa?
In Iowa, ultrasound techs make around $76,000–$85,000 per year, depending on experience and work setting.
3. Is becoming an ultrasound tech hard?
It requires dedication and strong science skills, but with the right training and clinical practice, it’s very achievable.
4. What’s the highest paying ultrasound tech job?
Cardiac sonographers and vascular sonographers are among the top-paying sonography specialties, often earning $90,000–$120,000+ annually.
5. Who gets paid more, RN or sonographer?
Sonographers generally earn more than RNs, especially in specialized roles and high-demand locations.
