Though Delaware is the second smallest of the 50 states, its economy is thriving with a number of industries. The state earned the nickname, “The First State,” after becoming the first to authorize the Constitution of the United States. The economy is ruled by the states government, education, and banking industries, but health care still makes up a respectable sector. Delaware is the home state of one of the largest health care providers in the nation, the Christiana Care Health System, which is ranked 22nd in the United States for hospital admissions. Reports from 2013 indicate 130 total diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the state, and by 2020, it is estimated that there will be 290 ultrasound technicians employed in Delaware.
The median annual salary for technicians in Delaware is just above the national average. Employment growth is occurring as total employment for diagnostic medical sonographers in Delaware is expected to increase 39% between 2010 and 2020.
Certification Requirements in Delaware
Certification in Delaware is optional for aspiring diagnostic medical sonographers. In terms of education opportunities, there are two schools in Delaware offering an associate or bachelor’s degree, or under 2 year certification. Both of these schools offer programs that have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, or CAAHEP. Employers often value certification and therefore prospective technicians ma benefit by becoming certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Ultrasound Technician Salary in Delaware
The national median salary for ultrasound technicians in 2013 averaged $66,400, just short of Delaware’s annual median salary for the same year, which was $67,300. The top 10% of earners in Delaware made on average $85,500 while hose in the bottom 10% averaged an annual salary of $53,400. The hourly median salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in Delaware was $32.35 as of 2013.
The State of Delaware’s Office of Occupational and Labor Market Information suspects a 39% growth in employment between 2010 and 2020, bringing the total number of ultrasound technicians employed in 2020 to 290. It is expected that there will be 10 annual job openings as a direct result of growth and net replacement.
Delaware Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary by Local Area:
| Local Area | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware (all) | $32.35 | $67,300 |
| Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ | $33.14 | $68,900 |
Source: Delaware Wage Information (2013)
Recommended Programs
More Ultrasound Technician Schools in Delaware
Other schools that offer ultrasound technician programs in Delaware include:
| School Name | School Address |
|---|---|
| Delaware Technical Community College-Owens | Route 18, Seashore Highway PO Box 610, Georgetown, Delaware 19947 |
| Delaware Technical Community College-Stanton/Wilmington | 333 N. Shipley Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 |