Florida is in the top 5 most populous states in the US, and this means the demand for healthcare personnel is high.
The medical imaging technicians help doctors from many fields to restore or maintain the health of the patients.
To work in this field, individuals don’t need a license, however, hospitals and clinics will be more likely to hire someone with credentials.
The field has a variety of specialties available, and the salary will vary from field to field, as well as on the person’s experience.
Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Jacksonville | $72,075 |
Miami | $74,343 |
Tampa | $72,762 |
Orlando | $72,648 |
St. Petersburg | $72,701 |
Hialeah | $73,770 |
Port St. Lucie | $71,981 |
Tallahassee | $69,264 |
Cape Coral | $71,012 |
Fort Lauderdale | $74,160 |
Regional Salary in Florida
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 150 | $81,730 | $39.29 | $94,780 | $65,840 |
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 60 | $77,580 | $37.3 | $88,100 | $62,410 |
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 160 | $72,740 | $34.97 | $82,060 | $60,200 |
Gainesville, FL | 150 | $71,080 | $34.17 | $79,030 | $63,070 |
Jacksonville, FL | 410 | $77,700 | $37.36 | $95,760 | $62,700 |
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 170 | $79,180 | $38.07 | $94,940 | $68,750 |
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 1,680 | $79,380 | $38.16 | $99,020 | $63,050 |
Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | 130 | $80,860 | $38.88 | $99,390 | $65,260 |
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 190 | $84,760 | $40.75 | $102,750 | $65,970 |
Ocala, FL | 80 | $69,730 | $33.52 | $78,780 | $58,600 |
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 740 | $76,490 | $36.78 | $96,150 | $61,800 |
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 210 | $79,550 | $38.25 | $98,580 | $64,170 |
Panama City, FL | 60 | $68,290 | $32.83 | $85,450 | $54,040 |
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 110 | $73,430 | $35.3 | $85,560 | $60,700 |
Port St. Lucie, FL | 80 | $73,220 | $35.2 | $88,010 | $63,040 |
Punta Gorda, FL | 60 | $71,590 | $34.42 | $86,410 | $62,370 |
Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | 40 | $73,800 | $35.48 | $92,630 | $53,360 |
Tallahassee, FL | 110 | $77,100 | $37.07 | $103,130 | $59,510 |
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 870 | $79,610 | $38.27 | $99,490 | $64,730 |
The Villages, FL | 40 | $66,710 | $32.07 | $80,810 | $45,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Certification Details
As mentioned, professionals in this field don’t need to be licensed, but if they choose to get some credentials, they need to pass the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exam.
The examination can be taken after:
- Either having accumulated 12 months of work experience as an ultrasound technician
- Or have completed an accredited training program in any specialty
There are several types of credentials to be obtained in the ultrasound field, from a simple diploma or certificate and up to a bachelor’s degree.
Not all the specialties offer these certifications, though, so it’s better to research them before making your choice.
Most of the credentials are earned after completing an educational program, but it needs to be accredited.
These courses have common classes, specific classes, and even actual work practice in a clinical setting, from at least 500 hours and up to 1500 hours.
Among the classes seen across all the specialties, are the following:
- Healthcare Ethics,
- English
- Technology
- Anatomy
- Physiology,
- Communication,
Students from all specialties will also learn how the machinery they’ll be working with, functions, and how to record the results.
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Adventist University of Health Sciences | 671 Winyah Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803 |
American Health Institute | 10138 US Highway 19, Port Richey, Florida 34654 |
American College for Medical Careers | 5959 Lake Ellenor Dr., Orlando, Florida 32809 |
ASA College | 530 W 49th St, Hialeah, FL 33012, |
Barry University | 11300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, Florida 33161 |
Broward College | 111 East Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 |
Broward College | 1000 Coconut Creek Blvd North Campus, Building 41 Coconut Creek, FL 33066 |
Cambridge Institute of Health & Technology | 5150 Linton Blvd, Delray Beach, Florida 33484 |
Central Florida Institute | 30522 US Hwy 19 N Ste 300, Palm Harbor, Florida 34684 |
Dade Medical College | 6837 Taft Street, Hollywood, Florida 33024 |
Dade Medical College | 381 N Krome Ave, Homestead, Florida 33030 |
Dade Medical College | 9550 Regency Square Boulevard, Suite 1200, Jacksonville, Florida 32225 |
Dade Medical College | 3721-1 NW 7th Street, Miami, Florida 33126 |
Dade Medical College | 5875 NW 163 Street, Suite 101, Miami Lakes, Florida 33014 |
Dade Medical College | 2601 South Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Florida 33415 |
Eastern Florida State College | 3865 North Wickham Rd Melbourne, FL 32935 |
Everest University | 2530 E Oakland Park Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 |
Florida Career College | 989 N Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32807 |
Florida Career College | 3383 N State Rd 7, Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319 |
Florida Career College | 1321 SW 107th Ave #201b, Miami, FL 33174 |
Florida Career College | 9950 Princess Palm Ave #100, Tampa, FL 33619 |
Florida Career College | 7891 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024 |
Florida Career College | 1743 N Congress Ave, Boynton Beach, FL 33426 |
Florida Career College | 6600-10 Youngerman Cir, Jacksonville, FL 32244 |
Florida Career College | 3750 W 18th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33012, United States |
Florida Career College | 3271 North, FL-7, Margate, FL 33063 |
Florida Career College | 6058 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33417 |
Florida Career College | 410 Park Place Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33759 |
Florida Institute of Ultrasound Inc | 8800 University Pky Ste A4, Pensacola, Florida 32514 |
Florida National University – Main Campus | 4425 West. Jose Regueiro (20th) Avenue, Hialeah, Florida 33012 |
Fortis College | 6565 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, FL 33771 |
Fortis College | 700 Blanding Blvd #16, Orange Park, FL 32065 |
Fortis College | 1630 S Congress Ave, Palm Springs, FL 33461 |
Fortis College | 19600 S Dixie Hwy b, Cutler Bay, FL 33157 |
Gulf Coast State College | 5230 West U.S. Highway 98, Panama City, Florida 32401 |
Hillsborough Community College | 39 Columbia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33606 |
Hillsborough Community College | 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd. Tampa, FL 33614 |
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | 1500 NW 49th St., Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 |
Meridian College | 7020 Professional Pkwy E, Sarasota, Florida 34240 |
Miami Dade College | 300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33132 |
Nova Southeastern University | 3301 College Ave, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314 |
Palm Beach State College | 4200 Congress Ave, Lake Worth, Florida 33461 |
Pensacola State College | 1000 College Blvd, Pensacola, Florida 32504 |
Polk State College | 999 Avenue H NE, Winter Haven, Florida 33881 |
Professional Training Centers | 13926 SW 47th Street, Miami, Florida 33175 |
Santa Fe College | 3000 Northwest 83rd Street, Gainesville, Florida 32606 |
Southern Technical College | 3910 Riga Blvd Tampa, FL 33619 |
Southeastern College – West Palm Beach | 1756 North Congress Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33409 |
Southeastern College | 17395 NW 59th Avenue Miami Lakes, FL 33015 |
Southwest Florida College | 1685 Medical Lane, Fort Myers, Florida 33907 |
Tallahassee Community College | 444 Appleyard Dr, Tallahassee, Florida 32304 |
Ultrasound Medical Institute | 503 Royal Palm Beach Blvd, Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411 |
Valencia College | 190 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801 |
Ultrasound Tech Classes
Most medical fields rely on ultrasound investigations for deciding on a diagnose.
Monitoring the evolution of pregnancy or treatment are other applications of this field.
The students will learn more about:
- Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation
- Patient Care Skills
- Sterile Techniques
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Sonography
Sonography Course Options
This field is usually confused with the previous one, but its purpose is that of helping find a diagnose.
Students will learn about:
- Pediatric Sonography
- Sonography Clinic
- Neurosonography
- Principles and Protocols of Imaging
Echo Tech Coursework
In this field, the technicians monitor and receive information about the patient’s heart, through a special device.
They need to learn about:
- Cardiac Pathophysiology
- Ultrasound Imaging Systems
- Concepts in Cardiovascular Assessment
- Doppler Physics
Vascular Sonography Classes
The technicians in this field need to be very precise, as some of the blood vessels they investigate are very small.
Classes include:
- Clinical Skills in Vascular Ultrasound
- Healthcare in America
- Professional Practice in Ultrasound
- Healthcare Ethics in Medical Imaging
Radiology Tech Training Classes
Radiology is also used in several medical fields, but x-rays are dangerous for both patient and operator.
Courses cover:
- Radiographic Physics
- Radiobiology and Protection
- Image Analysis
- Radiographic Procedures
MRI Technician Courses
Magnetic resonance investigations are used in special situations, and the technician will provide a 3D image of the body part under medical investigation.
This is done by taking many pictures of the same spot.
Some of the classes for this field include:
- Sectional Anatomy
- Clinical Practice in MRI Procedures
- Medical Terminology
- Orientation to Healthcare Careers
Extra Information
Clinics and hospitals are the biggest employers of ultrasound technicians.
There are certain procedures that the training programs will not teach, as they’re specific to the work environment.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Ultrasound Technician
I am trying to be a cardiac sonographic technician in the USA. I worked as a cardiac surgeon for over 16 years in my native country. Now I m very proud to be a legal permanent resident of the USA. I will work hard to be a decent American. God bless America!