Known for encompassing the largest portion of the Southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado is also the eighth most extensive state in the United States. The agricultural industry makes up the largest portion of Colorado’s economy but as the population continues to expand, so, too does the health care industry. Colorado is home to many major federal facilities such as the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the United States Air Force Academy. In 2013, there were 790 total diagnostic medical sonographers employed in Colorado with total employment is expected to reach 1,170 by 2020.
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Colorado earn a wage significantly higher than the national average. It is expected that ultrasound technician employment in Colorado will grow 23% from 2010 to 2020.
Certification Requirements in Colorado
Technicians hoping to work in Colorado are not required to obtain certification. There are two ultrasound technician schools in Colorado that offer students a two or four-year Associate or Bachelor’s degree, respectively, and under two year certification. Only one school, the University of Colorado Hospital, offers a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Although it’s not a state requirement ultrasound technicians are encouraged by employers to obtain certification from American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Certification is available in general diagnostic imaging and also in specialized fields such as radiology, obstetrics, and pediatrics.
Ultrasound Technician Salary in Colorado
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Colorado earned a median annual salary of $75,900 – a salary much higher than the national median of $66,400. Employees making up the top 10% of technicians in Colorado averaged an annual salary of $95,000; the bottom 10% of workers earned $59,000 annually. The average median hourly wage for sonographers in Colorado was $36.50 in 2013.
The growth rate for total employment of diagnostic medical sonographers in Colorado is projected to increase 31% between 2010 and 2020, bringing the total number of those employed to 1,170 by 2020. It is projected that there will be 40 annual job openings after the effects of growth and net replacement.
Colorado Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary by Local Area:
| Local Area | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado (all) | $36.50 | $75,900 |
| Boulder, CO | $36.01 | $74,900 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $35.79 | $74,400 |
| Denver – Aurora – Broomfield, CO | $37.80 | $78,600 |
| Pueblo, CO | $26.49 | $55,100 |
Source: Colorado Labor Market Information (2013)
Recommended Programs
More Ultrasound Technician Schools in Colorado
Additional schools for ultrasound technicians in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver include:
| School Name | School Address |
|---|---|
| Pima Medical Institute-South Denver | 13750 E. Mississippi Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80012 |
| Pueblo Community College | 900 West Orman Avenue, Pueblo, Colorado 81004 |
| Red Rocks Community College | 13300 W Sixth Ave, Lakewood, Colorado 80228 |