How much do ultrasound techs make?
Ultrasound techs (diagnostic medical sonographers) earn a median of about $89,340 per year, or roughly $42.95 per hour, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Top earners and high-cost regions can push pay well above $100,000.
Cost breakdown
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th percentile) | ~$66,000 / yr | Around $31-$32 per hour; new techs and lower-cost areas. |
| Median (national) | $89,340 / yr | About $42.95 per hour (BLS, May 2024 data). |
| Mean (national) | ~$97,240 / yr | About $46.44 per hour; average across all sonographers. |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $120,000+ / yr | Roughly $58+ per hour; specialists in high-cost regions. |
What ultrasound techs earn
Diagnostic medical sonographers, commonly called ultrasound technicians, earn a median annual wage of about $89,340, which works out to roughly $42.95 per hour based on the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures. The mean is somewhat higher, around $97,240 per year or $46.44 per hour, because top earners pull the average up.
Pay scales meaningfully with experience and credentials. New technicians near the lower end of the range may start in the mid-$60,000s, while seasoned and specialized sonographers at the top of the field can earn well over $120,000.
What drives pay differences
Location, employer, and specialty are the biggest factors. Higher-cost metro areas and states pay more, and some specialties, such as OB/GYN, cardiac, and vascular sonography, are in higher demand and generally command higher wages than general sonography.
Education, credentials, and shift differentials also matter. Earning additional registries through credentialing bodies can open higher-paying roles, and hospital, on-call, or evening shifts often come with extra pay compared with standard outpatient clinic schedules.
Job outlook and getting started
Demand is strong. The BLS projects employment of diagnostic medical sonographers to grow about 13 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, driven largely by an aging population and rising use of imaging.
Most ultrasound techs enter the field with an associate degree in sonography, then pursue professional credentials. Adding registries in multiple specialties is one of the most effective ways to increase earning potential over a career.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the hourly pay for an ultrasound tech?
- The median is about $42.95 per hour, with the national mean closer to $46.44 per hour. Entry-level pay runs around $31-$32 per hour and top earners exceed $58 per hour.
- Which ultrasound specialties pay the most?
- Higher-demand specialties such as cardiac (echocardiography), vascular, and OB/GYN sonography generally pay more than general sonography.
- Is ultrasound tech a growing career?
- Yes. The BLS projects about 13 percent job growth from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, fueled by an aging population and increased reliance on imaging.
Researched and edited by Calvin Lauderdale, Lead Researcher & Editor. Figures on this page were verified against the sources above as of June 23, 2026.