California is the most populous state and the 3rd largest state by area in the United States. The Golden State is home to several major US cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. The health services industry is one of California’s largest job sectors and encompasses a large number of medical outlets and hospitals many of which employ diagnostic medical sonographers. As of 2012, 5,300 diagnostic medical sonographers were employed in California with future projected employment numbers reaching 7,300 by 2020.
As the state that employs the most ultrasound technicians in the country, California’s diagnostic medical sonographers earn the highest median annual salary in the United States. The job outlook for diagnostic medial sonographers in California is positive, with the overall job growth slated for a 38% increase through 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Ultrasound Tech Programs in California
Sonography programs offers courses that will teach you about human anatomy and medical terminology. You will also learn how to use ultrasound equipment and technology. Depending upon your area of specialization courses may also cover topics such as obstetrics and pediatrics in ultrasound and cardiovascular and musculoskeletal ultrasound technology. Certificate and degree programs may also include a clinical internship component where you gain hands-on real world experience that prepares you for a career as an ultrasound technician.
Certification Requirements in California
Professional organizations are voluntarily responsible for registering and certifying ultrasound technicians in California. Future ultrasound technicians may attend a two-year or four-year school accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). There are 10 CAAHEP accredited ultrasound technician schools in the state of California. Certification is not required although many employers in California may require that ultrasound technicians obtain certification from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Ultrasound Technician Salary in California
The annual median salary of an ultrasound technician in California was $86,000 in 2013, compared to the median annual salary for the United States of $66,400. The average annual salary for the top 10% of earners in California for 2013 was $121,900, while those in the bottom 10% earned an average of $54,900 annually. Ultrasound technicians in California whom are paid hourly earned a median hourly wage of $41.35 in 2013.
According to the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD), job growth for ultrasound technicians is expected to increase 37.7% between 2010 and 2020. The average annual number of job openings for ultrasound technicians in the state of California is projected at 290 per year.
California Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary by Local Area:
| Local Area | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| California (all) | $41.35 | $86,000 |
| Bakersfield – Delano, CA | $34.35 | $71,400 |
| Chico, CA | $41.33 | $86,000 |
| Fresno, CA | $40.24 | $83,700 |
| Los Angeles – Long Beach – Glendale, CA | $39.10 | $81,300 |
| Modesto, CA | $38.14 | $79,300 |
| Oakland – Fremont – Hayward, CA | $53.49 | $111,300 |
| Oxnard – Thousand Oaks – Ventura, CA | $31.66 | $65,900 |
| Riverside – San Bernardino – Ontario, CA | $33.11 | $68,900 |
| Sacramento – Arden-Arcade – Roseville, CA | $41.79 | $86,900 |
| Salinas, CA | $43.52 | $90,500 |
| San Diego – Carlsbad – San Marcos, CA | $41.35 | $86,000 |
| San Francisco – San Mateo – Redwood City, CA | $54.42 | $113,200 |
| San Jose – Sunnyvale – Santa Clara, CA | $53.92 | $112,200 |
| Santa Ana – Anaheim – Irvine, CA | $35.23 | $73,300 |
| Santa Barbara – Santa Maria – Goleta, CA | $37.05 | $77,100 |
| Santa Rosa – Petaluma, CA | $46.82 | $97,400 |
| Stockton, CA | $42.16 | $87,700 |
| Vallejo – Fairfield, CA | $51.67 | $107,500 |
| Visalia – Porterville, CA | $40.66 | $84,600 |
| Yuba City, CA | $40.65 | $84,600 |
Source: California Occupational Wages (2013)
Recommended Programs
More Ultrasound Technician Schools in California
Additional ultrasound tech programs are available in Southern California (Los Angeles and San Diego) and also in Northern California (San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland, and the Bay Area). Schools include:
| School Name | School Address |
|---|---|
| American Medical Sciences Center | 225 West Broadway, Suite 115, Glendale, California 91204 |
| ATI College-Norwalk | 12440 Firestone Blvd Ste 2001, Norwalk, California 90650 |
| California College of Vocational Careers | 1901 Chester Ave #201, Bakersfield, California 93301 |
| Casa Loma College-Van Nuys | 6725 Kester Ave, Van Nuys, California 91405 |
| Central California School | 3195 McMillan Ste F, San Luis Obispo, California 93401 |
| Coast Career Institute | 1250 E. Cooley Drive, Colton, California 92324 |
| Coast Career Institute | 1354 S Hill St, Los Angeles, California 90015 |
| Cosumnes River College | 8401 Center Parkway, Sacramento, California 95823 |
| Cypress College | 9200 Valley View, Cypress, California 90630 |
| Foothill College | 12345 El Monte Rd, Los Altos Hills, California 94022 |
| Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | 2121 S El Camino Real Bldg C 200, San Mateo, California 94403 |
| Kaplan College-North Hollywood | 6180 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Suite 101, North Hollywood, California 91606 |
| Lincoln University | 401 15th Street, Oakland, California 94612 |
| Loma Linda University | 11139 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, California 92350 |
| Modern Technology School | 16560 Harbor Blvd., Units K-Q, Fountain Valley, California 92708 |
| Mt San Jacinto Community College District | 1499 N. State St., San Jacinto, California 92583 |
| National Polytechnic College | 6630 Telegraph Road, Commerce, California 90040 |
| Orange Coast College | 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, California 92626 |
| Platt College-Los Angeles | 1000 South Fremont Avenue, A10, Alhambra, California 91803 |
| Platt College-Ontario | 3700 Inland Empire Boulevard, Ontario, California 91764 |
| Platt College-Riverside | 6465 Sycamore Canyon Blvd Ste 100, Riverside, California 92507 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield | 201 New Stine Rd., Bakersfield, California 93309 |
| Santa Barbara City College | 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, California 93109 |
| West Coast Ultrasound Institute | 291 S La Cienega Blvd Ste 500, Beverly Hills, California 90211 |
| WestMed College | 3031 Tisch Way, 1st Floor, Ste 3PW, San Jose, California 95128 |