Georgia is the 8th most heavily populated state in the nation. Nicknamed “The Peach State” for its abundance of the sweet fruit, Georgia is also the home state to one of the nation’s major cities – Atlanta. Tourism, agriculture, and mining all make up a large part of Georgia’s economy; and with over 151 hospitals in the state, its health care industry also holds up pretty well. There were a total of 1,490 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the state as of 2013. This number is expected to increase, as analysts estimate a total of 1,650 technicians employed in Georgia by 2020.
Ultrasound technicians who choose to work in Georgia average an annual median salary slightly lower than the national median. Total employment is growing rapidly, however, and at a faster rate than the national level, with total employment expected to increase 49% between 2010 and 2020.
Certification Requirements in Georgia
Although certification is not required for ultrasound technicians in Georgia, some may still choose to complete the certifying exam administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, or ARDMS. There are 7 schools in Georgia that offer programs geared towards diagnostic medical sonography, 6 of which have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP).
Ultrasound Technician Salary in Georgia
Georgia’s office for Occupational Wages reported a median annual salary of $59,600 in 2013. This comes in lower than the national median of $66,400. Technicians who earned in the top 10% of workers made an annual salary of $76,200, while those in the bottom 10% earned $44,100. The median hourly wage in Georgia was $28.66 as of 2013.
As expressed by the Georgia Department of Labor, there is an anticipated 49% increase in total employment between 2010 and 2020, bringing total the total number of technicians in Georgia to 1,650 in 2020. Analysts project 70 annual job openings as a result of net replacement and growth.
Georgia Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary by Local Area:
| Local Area | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia (all) | $28.66 | $59,600 |
| Athens – Clarke County, GA | $28.99 | $60,300 |
| Atlanta – Sandy Springs – Marietta, GA | $29.89 | $62,200 |
| Augusta – Richmond County, GA | $27.50 | $57,400 |
| Columbus, GA | $26.94 | $56,000 |
| Gainesville, GA | $29.39 | $61,100 |
| Macon, GA | $26.89 | $55,900 |
| Savannah, GA | $28.73 | $59,800 |
Source: Georgia Occupational Wages (2013)
Recommended Schools in Georgia
More Ultrasound Technician Schools in Georgia
Below you will find additional schools in Georgia that offer certificate programs and associate and bachelor’s degrees in diagnostic medical imaging. There are several accredited institutions in the Greater Atlanta area.
| School Name | School Address |
|---|---|
| Athens Technical College | 800 U.S. Hwy 29 North, Athens, Georgia 30601 |
| Chattahoochee Technical College | 980 S Cobb Drive Dr SE, Marietta, Georgia 30060 |
| Columbus Technical College | 928 Manchester Expy, Columbus, Georgia 31904 |
| Darton State College | 2400 Gillionville Rd, Albany, Georgia 31707 |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College | One Maurice Culberson Drive, Rome, Georgia 30161 |
| Georgia Regents University | 1120 Fifteenth St, Augusta, Georgia 30912 |
| Grady Health System Professional Schools | 80 Jesse Hill Jr Drive, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 |
| Gwinnett Technical College | 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043 |
| Ogeechee Technical College | One Joseph E. Kennedy Blvd, Statesboro, Georgia 30458 |