Tennessee is a hot spot for music and has been the birthplace for some of the most legendary musicians – Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Its humming cities allow it to rank as the 17th most populated state in the nation. Its major output is textiles, but its large population contributes to a growing health care industry. A total of 1,520 diagnostic medical sonographers were employed in the Volunteer State in 2013 and this number is supposed to only increase, reaching 1,560 total technicians by 2020.
The annual median salary for technicians working in Tennessee $59,900 in 2013 which was slightly lower than the national median. Analysts project a 42% increase in the total employment of ultrasound technicians between 2010 and 2020.
Certification Requirements in Tennessee
There are a variety of public and private schools scattered around Tennessee that offer programs for future ultrasound technicians. Five of these schools have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP). It’s not required for technicians to obtain certification although many employer may prefer candidates who have been certified. If the prospective technician so chooses, they may complete their certification under the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Ultrasound Technician Salary in Tennessee
The median annual salary in 2013 was $59,900 for technicians employed in Tennessee. The top 10% of earners in the state averaged a salary of $75,600 while the bottom 10% of earners made $42,300 per year. The median hourly wage for diagnostic medical sonographers in Tennessee was $28.82 in 2013.
The growth predicted to occur in Tennessee is slated at a rate almost parallel to the national rate of growth for diagnostic medical sonographers. The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development predicts a 42% increase in total employment between 2010 and 2020, bringing the number of technicians employed in state to 1,560 by 2020. Analysts project a total of 60 new job openings per year as a result of growth and net replacement.
Tennesse Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary by Local Area:
| Local Area | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (all) | $28.82 | $59,900 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $31.89 | $66,300 |
| Clarksville, TN | $27.91 | $58,100 |
| Jackson, TN | $26.85 | $55,800 |
| Johnson City, TN | $25.97 | $54,000 |
| Knoxville, TN | $27.93 | $58,100 |
| Memphis, TN | $28.39 | $59,100 |
| Nashville – Davidson – Murfreesboro – Franklin, TN | $32.50 | $67,600 |
Source: Tennessee Labor Market Information (2013)
Recommended Schools in Tennessee
Recommended Programs
More Ultrasound Schools in Tennessee
Other diagnostic medical sonography schools in Tennessee include:
| School Name | School Address |
|---|---|
| Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences | 1003 Monroe Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38104 |
| Chattanooga State Community College | 4501 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37406 |
| Volunteer State Community College | 1480 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, Tennessee 37066 |