What’s an Average Ultrasound Tech Salary in New Jersey?

December 6, 2019

 

Looking to become an ultrasound technologist in New Jersey? There’s so much to consider before starting your professional life or changing your career, so we’ve done the research for you.

In this article, you’ll find all the information you need – from ultrasound tech salary expectations to job growth to certification requirements. Plus, you’ll see how the “Garden State” measures up to other American states.

Is Ultrasound Different than Sonography?

 

It’s worth noting that ultrasound and sonography are the same thing. If you choose to complete diagnostic medical sonography training, you could be called a medical sonographer or ultrasound technologist.

This medical procedure uses painless, high-frequency sound waves to take images of organs, tissues, vessels, and blood flow – all without any incisions.

When a problem or disease is suspected, an ultrasound scan is often the first procedure that physicians order. Sonography helps physicians diagnose a variety of conditions, evaluate symptoms of pain, assess damage after illnesses, and guide procedures (such as needle and breast cancer biopsies).

What Does an Ultrasound Technologist Do?

The main responsibility of ultrasound techs is to take internal images of the body using high-tech ultrasound equipment. Other aspects of this allied health career can include:

  • Preparing patients for the procedure
  • Maintaining ultrasound equipment
  • Ensuring images and scans are of high quality
  • Recognizing healthy images and detecting abnormalities
  • Recording and presenting findings to the medical team
  • Working closely with doctors and radiologists to interpret the images

What’s an Average Ultrasound Technician Salary in New Jersey?

 Photo by Saketh Garuda on Unsplash 

 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average ultrasound tech salary is $72,500 for full-time employees. This means that even the lowest 10% of earners can pull in a substantial $51,000. As usual, location has a major impact on US ultrasound tech salaries, with outpatient centers providing the highest median incomes. 

In New Jersey, the average annual income for qualified ultrasound techs is more than $77,000 (about $37 per hour).

The Ultrasound Tech Job Market in New Jersey

New Jersey ranks 3rd for states with the highest concentration of diagnostic sonography jobs. What’s more, the New Jersey-New York metro area actually has the highest area of employment for ultrasound techs nationwide.


Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

 

Which States Offer the Best Ultrasound Tech Opportunities?

Even though New Jersey fall well above national average wages, what other options exist in the United States?

There are more than 70,000 employed ultrasound techs throughout the country, and New Jersey employs about 2,600 of them. However, the top five states with the highest level of employment for ultrasound techs are:

  • California (6,700)
  • Florida (5,300)
  • New York (4,000)
  • Texas (4,800)
  • Illinois (2,900)

Between 2018 and 2028, there is expected to be an increase of 18,000 positions across the United States. 

Where Can Ultrasound Techs Work? 

The majority of the nation’s ultrasound techs are employed in state or local hospitals (60%), but other facilities – like physician offices (21%), medical and diagnostic labs (11%), and outpatient care centers (4%) – offer solid employment opportunities, too.

Ultrasound Tech Salaries Across the US

 

New Jersey is also one of the higher-paying states for sonographers, but how much does a registered ultrasound tech make in other states?

Salaries for Neighboring States

The average ultrasound tech salary in New York hovers around $75,000 – lower than New Jersey’s. Pennsylvania and Delaware also come in at $66,400 and $72,200, respectively.

Connecticut provides higher averages though, with ultrasound techs raking in a substantial $82,300. The highest-paying state in the Northeast region is Massachusetts, where qualified DMS techs can make about $83,700.

Where Are Ultrasound Techs Paid the Most? 

If you’re willing to travel across the country, you’ll find the highest wages in the Pacific States. Hawaii is the nation’s leader, offering substantial average incomes of $94,300, followed by Alaska ($93,700), California ($92,600), and Washington ($87,900). These recorded salaries make DMS sonography one of the highest-paying allied health careers around! 

States With Lowest Ultrasound Technician Salaries

The South tends to offer below-average sonography salaries, and Alabama has the lowest DMS tech salaries in the country ($56,450). That said, it’s one of the cheapest places to live and purchase a home. Louisiana follows in 2nd place with $60,300 and Mississippi is 4th with $61,200. The one regional outlier is South Dakota, which falls in 3rd place with average ultrasound tech salaries of $60,500. 

Steps to Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Photo by  ScottCommunityCollege  on Flickr

 

Typically, there are three routes to become an ultrasound technician: an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or a certificate program.

There are a few differences between ultrasound degrees and certificate programs, especially the length of study time and cost. Your choice really comes down to finding the best ‘fit’.

Getting Your Ultrasound Tech Certification

One of the most popular – and shortest – pathways to an ultrasound tech career is via a certification program. 

Depending on the program, your DMS training will last about 2 to 3 years. This education includes a clinical internship, where you’ll gain valuable practical experience in a professional medical setting.

Choosing the right program can feel overwhelming, which is why we’ve developed a guide to becoming an ultrasound tech that assists you through the entire process.

Ultrasound Technology Certification

Once you’ve graduated from an accredited diagnostic medical sonography program, you’ll be qualified to take a variety of sonography certification exams.

Students who graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited program are eligible to take certification exams offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

You’ll also have the opportunity to take the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam, as well as the Abdomen (AB) and Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) specialty examinations.

If you pass the SPI exam and one specialty exam, you will earn the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential. Most major hospitals and imaging centers only hire certified sonographers, so getting your ARDMS certification is essential.

Climbing the Ultrasound Tech Career Ladder

 

One of the best things about training as an ultrasound tech is the number of fields you can specialize in. Gaining certification and credentials in more than one sonography specialty will open up a wide range of career opportunities.

Some of the areas that sonographers can specialize in include:

Ready to Start Your Ultrasound Technologist Career?

In the New Jersey area and looking for a challenging yet rewarding allied health career? Why not consider the AIMS Education Diagnostic Medical Sonographer training program?

Our representatives are waiting to help you take the next step – don’t wait!


Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program