North Carolina is home to two of the top ten fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country, Raleigh and Charlotte. Commonly known as the Tar Heel State; North Carolina is widely celebrated for its abundance of natural resources and vast Atlantic coastline. For the past three years, Forbes as has consistently ranked North Carolina as the #1 Best Place for Business & Careers. In 2008, the healthcare industry in North Carolina consisted of about 843,455 employees – ranging from dentists to pharmacists, and even sonographers. In 2013, Greenville was ranked as the top metropolitan area in the nation to have the highest concentration of jobs for diagnostic medical sonographers. As of 2012, there were approximately 1,730 ultrasound technicians employed in the state of North Carolina, with total employment expected to rise each of the following years.
Diagnostic medical sonographers in North Carolina average a salary only about 1% lower than the nationwide average salary for this profession. The employment trend for ultrasound technicians in North Carolina is positive, with total employment expected to grow by 37% from 2010 through 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Certification Requirements in North Carolina
Certification is not required for ultrasound technicians aspiring to work in North Carolina. Candidates may enroll in a 2-year or 4-year school and may have the option to register for a program offering less than one year certification or an associate degree. North Carolina currently has 8 CAAHEP accredited ultrasound technician schools. Many employers may require their ultrasound technicians to receive certification from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Ultrasound Technician Salary in North Carolina
In 2013, the annual median salary of a diagnostic medical sonographer in North Carolina was $63,400; falling just shy of the nation’s median annual salary of $66,400. The top 10% of earners in North Carolina averaged an annual salary of $78,500, while those who made up the bottom 10% averaged $49,600. Technicians in North Carolina whom are paid hourly earned a median hourly wage of $30.49 in 2013.
According to the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina, by the year 2020, employment for diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to reach 2,280, an increase of 37% from 2010. The number of average annual job openings is expected to reach 90 a year due to growth and net replacement.
North Carolina Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary by Local Area:
| Local Area | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (all) | $30.49 | $63,400 |
| Asheville, NC | $31.86 | $66,300 |
| Charlotte – Gastonia – Rock Hill, NC | $30.02 | $62,400 |
| Durham – Chapel Hill, NC | $32.22 | $67,000 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $29.62 | $61,600 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $28.60 | $59,500 |
| Greensboro – High Point, NC | $31.38 | $65,300 |
| Greenville, NC | $29.54 | $61,400 |
| Hickory – Lenoir – Morganton, NC | $28.04 | $58,300 |
| Raleigh – Cary, NC | $29.60 | $61,600 |
| Wilmington, NC | $28.30 | $58,900 |
| Winston – Salem, NC | $32.44 | $67,500 |
Source: North Carolina Wage Information (2013)
Recommended Programs
More Ultrasound Schools in North Carolina
Other accredited diagnostic medical sonography schools in North Carolina include:
| School Name | School Address |
|---|---|
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | 340 Victoria Rd, Asheville, North Carolina 28801 |
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | 2855 Hickory Blvd., Hudson, North Carolina 28638 |
| Cape Fear Community College | 411 North Front Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401 |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | 2100 Silas Creek Pky, Winston Salem, North Carolina 27103 |
| Johnston Community College | 245 College Road, Smithfield, North Carolina 27577 |
| Pitt Community College | 1986 Pitt Tech Road, Winterville, North Carolina 28590 |
| South Piedmont Community College | 680 Highway 74 West, Polkton, North Carolina 28135 |
| Southwestern Community College | 447 College Dr, Sylva, North Carolina 28779 |