What States Have the Most Job Openings for Ultrasound Technicians?

When finished with school, regardless of your career, choosing where to live is a huge decision. Although many students decide to move somewhere close to friends and family members, you have to also keep in mind that job markets could be tighter in some areas than others. The medical world is only growing, but in some states, there are more job openings than others. Keep in mind, also, that by being flexible with where you live, you’ll have more openings to which you can apply, increasing your chances of finding a job. As an ultrasound tech, learning which states are best for this field should be one of your top priorities as you approach graduation.

According to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the states hiring the most ultrasound techs, in relation to overall popular, were as follows in 2008:

Florida
Connecticut
New Jersey
Alabama
Tennessee

In Florida, ultrasound techs are in especially high demand since the average age of residents is higher. That means more people are experiencing health problems, so the demand in the medical world rises. Of course, the states that hire the most ultrasound techs aren’t necessarily those that pay the best, on average. If you want to work in a state with the highest annual salary, on average, you should look to the following locations:

Oregon: $76,570
Washington: $75,320
Connecticut: $74,260
Massachusetts: $73,690
Alaska: $73,290

In general, you’ll also find higher average salaries if you’re willing to live in a city, rather than in a more rural or suburban area. However, keep in mind that working and living in a city can mean a very high cost of living, which can easily eat up that higher paycheck, so the higher salary isn’t always the better choice.

That said, the metropolitan areas with the highest average salaries for ultrasound techs are as follows:

Santa Cruz – Watonsville, California: $95,170
Worcester, Massachusetts/Connecticut: $88,500
San Jose – Sunnyvale – Santa Clara, California: $87,040
Oakland – Fremont – Hayward, California: $82,010
San Francisco – San Mateo – Redwood City, California: $80,420

Although average salaries are lower, you can find the most job opportunities in the follower metropolitan areas, if you’re having a problem finding a job in any of the above cities:

Sebastian – Vero Beach, Florida
Jackson, Tennessee
Florence – Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Modesto, California
Vineland – Millville – Bridgeton, New Jersey

At these locations, average salary for ultrasound techs ranges from $47,000 to $65,000, so even here, you can see that you can make a large salary as an ultrasound tech. Best of all, you can get started down this career path with just an associate’s degree and a year of hands-on training, so it is a career change you can make quickly. Once you have an associate’s degree in sonography, a bachelor’s degree only takes an additional two years to complete, but there’s a large jump in your earning potential. This is a time investment you want to make, since some employers will even pay for your school and you can pursue your bachelor’s degree online, meaning that you can still work while you go to school. To earn top dollar, advanced education is important, so look into specializing or getting your bachelor’s degree in sonography.

Top Online Ultrasound Schools

AS in Healthcare	University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix is America's largest accredited online university. With their associate's degree in Health Care, Phoenix offers its students a way to prepare for an entry-level position in the ultrasound technician field.
AS in Medical Assisting AS in Health IT	Kaplan University — Kaplan University is one of the largest accredited online colleges, and their associate's degrees in medical assisting or in health information technology can help you gain the education you need to begin your ultrasound career. This is a fast and flexible degree that can provide the foundation you need for your ultrasound technical career.
AS in Medical Office Admin BS in Health Services Mgmt	Virginia College Online — If you want to complete a health-based interdisciplinary studies degree online that will prepare you for ultrasound technology as well as for management, then apply for Virginia College's bachelor's degree in Health Services Management or associate's degree in medical office administration. The tuition for each program includes the cost of every textbook for every course.
AS in Health IT	DeVry University — With their associate's degree in health information technology program, DeVry University prepares students to be HIT leaders in contemporary hospitals, physician's offices, medical clinics, and more.
AS in Medical Assisting	Keiser University — Apply for Keiser's Medical Assisting associate's degree to fast-track your ultrasound technician career. Learn how to use ultrasound, x-ray and EKG equipment with your training here.
AAS in Health IT AAS in Health Administration	Carrington College California — For students interested in learning more about health claims, ultrasound technology, medical coding, insurance billing, and anatomy and medical terminology, consider the AAS degree in health information technology or the AAS degree in healthcare administration from Carrington College California (formerly known as Western Career College). Upon completion of this program, graduates will be prepared for careers in medical offices, hospitals, and more.
AS in Health Administration	Brookline College — Graduates of Brookline College's AS in healthcare administration degree program will have real-world knowledge about ethical, legal, and practical issues related to healthcare and will be able to demonstrate their skills in maintaining medical records and being an administrator in a healthcare environment.
AS in Health Administration	Iowa Central College — Iowa Central Community College offers online associate's degree programs in health care administration and human services. The programs comprise 66 credit hours, which can be completed in two years. Iowa Central College is fully accredited by the Institution of Higher Education.
AAS in Medical Billing	Lincoln College — The AAS in medical billing degree program from Lincoln College Online teaches students the ins and outs of medical administrative work such as billing and insurance coding. This degree is useful for anyone wishing to advance in his/her career within a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, ultrasound clinics, physician offices, and more.
AS in Medical Assisting	San Joaquin Valley College — San Joaquin Valley College's AS degree in clinical medical assisting is designed to prepare its students with the knowledge of technical, ethical, and social issues required to advance their careers in the healthcare industry, and prepares students for careers in ultrasonography.
AS in Health Administration	California Coast University — Students looking for placement in an entry-level healthcare management position soon after graduation need look no further than California Coast University's associate's in health care administration degree program.
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