Florida is the 4th most populous state and 8th most densely populated state within the United States. The Sunshine State also features the longest coastline within the continental United States at 1,350 miles and is the only state that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The health services industry is abundant in Florida, due to the large and aging population. Ultrasound technology is 9th fastest growing occupation in Florida and as of 2013, 4,490 diagnostic medical sonographers were employed in Florida with future projected employment numbers expected to reach 6,535 by 2020.
Florida’s diagnostic medical sonographers earn a median annual salary that is slightly lower than the national average. The job outlook for diagnostic medical sonographers in Florida is positive, with the overall job growth slated for a 39% increase through 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also states that Florida ranks in the top five states for highest level of employment and highest concentration of jobs for diagnostic medical sonographers.
Ultrasound Tech Programs in Florida
Many ultrasound technicians begin their educational path through either a certificate or degree program. During your selected education program you will learn about human anatomy and organ functions. You will also learn how to communicate with patients and how to use ultrasound equipment. Based on your intended career path you may also take courses specilized in a specific area of ultrasound such as radiology or obstetrics. These education programs combined with clinical internships will help prepare you for a qualified ultrasound job.
Certification Requirements in Florida
Florida does not require ultrasound technicians to possess licensure. Potential ultrasound technicians may earn a two-year associate or four-year bachelor’s degree from a program accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). There are 21 CAAHEP accredited ultrasound technician schools in the state of Florida. Employers in Florida may require that diagnostic medical sonographers obtain certification through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Ultrasound Technician Salary in Florida
The annual median salary of a diagnostic medical sonographer in Florida was $60,300 in 2013, which is about 10% lower than the national median salary of $66,400. The top 10% of earners in Florida earned an average salary of $76,800, while those in the bottom 10% earned an average of $41,500 annually in 2013. Ultrasound technicians in Florida whom are paid hourly earned a median hourly wage of $28.98.
According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, job growth for diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to increase by 39% between 2010 and 2020. The average annual number of job openings for ultrasound technicians in the state is projected at 160 per year.
Florida Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary by Local Area:
| Local Area | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (all) | $28.98 | $60,300 |
| Cape Coral – Fort Myers, FL | $34.13 | $71,000 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach – Destin, FL | $22.15 | $46,100 |
| Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, FL | $31.32 | $65,100 |
| Fort Lauderdale – Pompano Beach – Deerfield Beach, FL | $29.96 | $62,300 |
| Gainesville, FL | $24.78 | $51,500 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $29.58 | $61,500 |
| Lakeland – Winter Haven, FL | $26.95 | $56,100 |
| Miami – Miami Beach – Kendall, FL | $29.87 | $62,100 |
| Naples – Marco Island, FL | $34.58 | $71,900 |
| North Port – Bradenton – Sarasota, FL | $29.84 | $62,100 |
| Ocala, FL | $23.78 | $49,500 |
| Orlando – Kissimmee – Sanford, FL | $28.54 | $59,400 |
| Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, FL | $31.51 | $65,500 |
| Panama City – Lynn Haven – Panama City Beach, FL | $25.67 | $53,400 |
| Pensacola – Ferry Pass – Brent, FL | $24.72 | $51,400 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $30.43 | $63,300 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $29.61 | $61,600 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $31.28 | $65,100 |
| Tampa – St. Petersburg – Clearwater, FL | $29.49 | $61,300 |
| West Palm Beach – Boca Raton – Boynton Beach, FL | $27.35 | $56,900 |
Source: Florida Wage Information (2013)
Recommended Programs
More Ultrasound Schools in Florida
Below you will find a listing of additional ultrasound tech schools throughout Florida including in popular areas such as Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, and Gainesville.
| School Name | School 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 |
| Barry University | 11300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, Florida 33161 |
| Broward College | 111 East Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 |
| 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-Hollywood | 6837 Taft Street, Hollywood, Florida 33024 |
| Dade Medical College-Homestead | 381 N Krome Ave, Homestead, Florida 33030 |
| Dade Medical College-Jacksonville | 9550 Regency Square Boulevard, Suite 1200, Jacksonville, Florida 32225 |
| Dade Medical College-Miami | 3721-1 NW 7th street, Miami, Florida 33126 |
| Dade Medical College-Miami Lakes | 5875 NW 163 Street, Suite 101, Miami Lakes, Florida 33014 |
| Dade Medical College-West Palm Beach | 2601 South Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Florida 33415 |
| 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 |
| Gulf Coast State College | 5230 West U.S. Highway 98, Panama City, Florida 32401 |
| Hillsborough Community College | 39 Columbia Drive, Tampa, Florida 33606 |
| 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 |
| Southeastern College – West Palm Beach | 1756 North Congress Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33409 |
| 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 |