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Ultrasound technicians in Pennsylvania have an increased number of job opportunities as the field is growing.
You should know that ultrasound jobs are reported to see a growth of 18% until 2026.
If you think this is the right career path for you, read on to get more info on how to start it.
Article Table of Contents
Training Requirements
In order to get hired as an ultrasound tech, you need to enroll in a training school first.
During your training, you will learn how to take pictures of the human body using some specific technology.
You will also be taught the following skills:
- Record keeping
- Effective communication
- How to operate the ultrasound devices
- Physiology and medical ethics
You don’t need a specific license to work as an ultrasound tech in this state.
However, getting a certification increases your chances of getting hired.
Most companies in Pennsylvania require a degree and certification.
You can choose between a simple diploma, an associate’s degree program or a bachelor’s degree.
The first can be completed in a year, while the others require 2 to 4 years of education.
To get a diploma, you also need a couple of hundreds of hours of education.
To get a higher degree, you need 500 hours of practice.
The program is followed by a certification exam managed by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Community College of Allegheny County | 800 Allegheny Ave, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15233 |
| Community College of Allegheny County | 595 Beatty Road Monroeville, PA 15146 |
| Crozer-Chester Medical Center | One Medical Center Blvd Pearl Hall Upland, PA 19013 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Technology | 5100 Peach Street, Erie, Pennsylvania 16509 |
| Harrisburg Area Community College-Harrisburg | 1 HACC Dr., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110 |
| Lackawanna College | 501 Vine St, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18509 |
| Misericordia University | 301 Lake St, Dallas, Pennsylvania 18612 |
| Mount Aloysius College | 7373 Admiral Peary Highway Cresson, PA 16630 |
| Northampton County Area Community College | 3835 Green Pond Rd, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18020 |
| Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences | 410 N Lime Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17602 |
| Pittsburgh Career Institute | 421 Seventh Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219 |
| South Hills School of Business & Technology | 480 Waupelani Dr, State College, Pennsylvania 16801 |
| Thomas Jefferson University | 1020 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107 |
| Westmoreland County Community College | 145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, Pennsylvania 15697 |
In order to get improved career opportunities, consider getting a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.
The easiest way of getting certified is by taking a program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Specialization Options
You can also get hired easier if you take a specialization.
Sonography Training classes
During a sonography program, you will take classes on:
- Sonographic Pathophysiology
- Basic Ultrasound Physics
- Fundamentals of Diagnostic Sonography
- Medical Terminology
MRI Tech Courses
The classes in MRI technology are as follows:
- MRI Clinical Techniques
- MRI Anatomy and Physiology
- MRI Instrumentation and Principles
- Safety in MRI Technology
Vascular Sonography Courses
During your course, you will learn about:
- Vascular Technology Fundamentals
- Electrophysiology and Anatomy
- Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation
- Cross-Sectional Anatomy
Radiology Tech Courses
This program features classes such as:
- Radiation Physics
- Imaging Modalities
- Radiographic Procedures
- Principles of Radiographic Imaging
Echo Tech Courses
This specialization allows you to run heart tests and help in diagnostics.
The class subjects include:
- Clinical Pharmacology for Health Professionals
- Vascular Testing
- Echocardiography Laboratory Procedures
- Cardiographic Methods
Extra Information
To have a good chance of getting employed is to ask at a medical facility such as a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office.
However, the first step in starting your career is getting the appropriate training to develop your skills.
With improved skills, you can also earn more.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $82,183 |
| Pittsburgh | $75,358 |
| Allentown | $76,276 |
| Erie | $70,668 |
| Reading | $75,886 |
| Upper Darby | $82,183 |
| Scranton | $70,615 |
| Bensalem | $86,400 |
| Lancaster | $74,953 |
| Bethlehem | $76,276 |
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 270 | $80,840 | $38.87 | $99,270 | $66,580 |
| Altoona, PA | 30 | $68,100 | $32.74 | $81,550 | $54,180 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 50 | $74,280 | $35.71 | $87,410 | $65,120 |
| Erie, PA | 70 | $70,880 | $34.08 | $89,300 | $54,570 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 230 | $78,770 | $37.87 | $97,490 | $65,540 |
| Lancaster, PA | 130 | $78,210 | $37.6 | $96,100 | $65,290 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 1,670 | $87,600 | $42.11 | $103,120 | $74,400 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 500 | $74,350 | $35.74 | $92,940 | $62,950 |
| Reading, PA | 60 | $88,860 | $42.72 | $116,840 | $77,820 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 120 | $77,070 | $37.05 | $97,130 | $62,040 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 110 | $78,600 | $37.79 | $93,910 | $63,650 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
For instance, you can further specialize in a particular niche in any of the fields mentioned above.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Ultrasound Technician
Ultrasound Technicians by State