Ultrasound Technicians in Missouri make an average of $51,000 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest-paid 10 percent earn more than $70,000 annually, while the lowest-paid tend to be between $39,000 and $45,000 in a given year. A career in this field can be highly rewarding if you have the skills, training and attitude needed for the job.
Ultrasound Technician Salary In Missouri: The ultrasound technician salary in Missouri is significantly higher than the national average. This has been the case for many years, and the projected wage increases should not change that trend. By 2020, ultrasound technicians can expect to earn an average of $80,000 per year at their peak. As you look for an opportunity to work as an Ultrasound Technician in MO, it is important to factor in these figures when considering job options and salary expectations.
Ultrasound Technician Salary in Missouri Overview
If you’re looking for a way to get into the healthcare field and make a difference, ultrasound technician may be just the job for you. Ultrasound technicians are responsible for performing ultrasound procedures on patients, which can include sonograms of the heart, lung, and abdomen; echocardiograms; and scans of the liver, kidneys, gallbladder and other abdominal organs.
Becoming an ultrasound technician requires at least a two-year associate degree program that includes general education courses and training in ultrasound technology. In Missouri, there are several community colleges and vocational schools that offer this degree program as well as many hospitals that offer their own training programs.
After graduation from an accredited program, it is necessary to pass both written and practical examinations administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Once certified by ARDMS as an Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), it is possible to find employment in hospitals or private clinics where they will perform sonography procedures on patients under the supervision of physicians or surgeons.
What is an Ultrasound Technician?
As an Ultrasound Technician, it’s possible that you can work with many different people, or follow a niche career, like working with pregnant women.
There are Ultrasound Technicians who work with cardiologists, as well as in vascular care, so the type of Ultrasound Technician you choose to be is up to you.
This career is important, as Ultrasound Technicians help prepare patients for procedures and operations, as well as assist with diagnosing and examining issues within the body.
Using ultrasound technology, an Ultrasound technician takes an instrument called a transducer and places it on patients’ bodies to create images of the inside of their body.
Duties
No day is the same for an Ultrasound Technician, as there are many things that they must do throughout the day.
On average, you can find an Ultrasound Technician:
- Perform ultrasounds with a transducer
- Maintain ultrasound equipment
- Explain the procedure to the patient
- Evaluate images from the ultrasound
- Present images and findings to the doctor or medical team
- Maintain patient records
How to Become an Ultrasound Technician
Step 1 Get an Education
It’s not legally required to possess a degree in order to work as an Ultrasound Technician, but many employers do prefer to hire ones that do.
The most common type of degree is an Associate’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography, which takes about two years to finish.
In this type of program, you will learn all kinds of information about ultrasound and sonography procedures, as well as how to care for patients.
A typical Associates degree program will have courses that include:
- Sonography and Ethics
- Abdominal Sonography
- Sectional Anatomy
- Obstetrics and Gynecological Sonography
- Culture and Diversity
Keep in mind that any program you seek should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Some Ultrasound Technicians choose to earn a Bachelor’s degree, which takes about four years to finish.
In a Bachelor’s degree program, you’ll take the required sonography courses but also have courses like English and math.
Step 2 Gain Experience
While getting a formal education is not mandatory, it’s crucial that you gain hands-on experience as an Ultrasound Technician, especially if you would like to become certified at some point.
To gain experience, you’ll need to find a job.
Most hospitals and doctor’s offices need new Ultrasound Technicians, but it’s possible to work in clinics as well as at private ultrasound companies.
Having at least two years of experience is preferred before you can try to become certified.
Enrolling in an internship while going through an Associate’s degree program is a great way to learn the tricks of the trade and gain experience while going to school.
You could also shadow another Ultrasound Technician or even volunteer at your local hospital.
Step 3 Become Certified
Once you have a couple of years of experience, something may push you to become a Certified Ultrasound Technician.
There are many areas that an Ultrasound Technician can gain certification from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography:
- Abdomen
- Breast
- Echocardiography
- OB/GYN
- Vascular
In order to gain these certifications, you must be a part of the ARDMS and take an exam.
The American Registry for Radiologic Technologists offers 15 different certifications including:
- Mammography
- Registered Radiologist Assistant
- Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Radiography
The Cardiovascular Credentialing International Association offers:
- Certified Cardiac Sonographer
- Advanced Cardiac Sonographer
- Registered Cardiac Sonographer
In order to earn these certifications, you must be enrolled in the association that they are from, and also take an exam to show your competence in the field of sonography.
Step 4 Further Your Career
Becoming certified and gaining education over the years can mean that you want to step out into another career, or gain promotion in your current field.
Having many credentials can help with gaining raises and promotions, but there are some other things that you can do to help further your career.
The first is to pick a specialty, that way you know which direction you want to go into.
Network with others in the community and try and see what other possibilities are out there.
Beyond an Ultrasound Technician, it’s possible to gain employment as:
- MRI Technologist
- CT Technologist
- Senior Ultrasound Technician
- Operational Supervisor
Earning a Masters degree can also help with promotions, this two-year program could lead to a career in:
- Advanced Sonographer
- Lead Pediatric Cardiac Sonographer
- Sonographer Educator
What Other Factors Affect Ultrasound Tech Salary?
What can you do to maximize your earnings potential?
First and foremost, you need to be certified or registered with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). While most states don’t require a sonographer be registered, almost every employer will. If you attend a degree program that is accredited by the CAAHEP, then becoming certified by the (ARDMS) will likely be part of the program during your senior year, or shortly after graduation.
Level of education and amount of training
In general, the more education and experience a sonographer has, the higher their income can be. While an Associate Degree in DMS is generally the minimum amount of education required to become a sonographer, a Bachelor’s or even a Master Degree in Ultrasound opens up the doors for a variety of career paths where the earnings potential may be higher, such as consulting, management or education.
Specialization and certifications
Ultrasound technician pay also depends on the area of specialization. For example, if a person specializes in Obstetrics/Gynecology, and becomes certified through the ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography), they may receive higher pay than if they practiced General Sonography.
When getting started, it’s not necessary to declare a specialization to begin a degree program, but there will be a lot of options to choose from when the time comes. Some programs are even able to offer dual concentrations to their students, which can make you a more marketable job candidate.
Certification Requirements in Missouri
Ultrasound technicians in Missouri are only recommended, not required, to gain their certification. If the prospective technician decides to become licensed, he or she may complete a voluntary exam directed by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, or ARDMS. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has accredited five programs in the state of Missouri.
Ultrasound Technician Salary in Missouri
The median annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in the state of Missouri was $66,700 in 2013, just above the national median of $66,400. For ultrasound technicians who earned in the top 10% of employees, their average annual salary was $87,500. Technicians in the bottom 10% of earners averaged $48,200. The median hourly wage for Missourian technicians in 2013 was $23.06.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development anticipates a positive future for the state’s diagnostic medical sonographers, with a 33% increase in total employment to occur between 2010 and 2020. This growth would result in 1,210 total technicians employed in Missouri by 2020. Due to growth and net replacement prospective ultrasound technicians may see 40 job openings per year in Missouri.
Missouri Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary by Local Area:
| Local Area | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri (all) | $32.06 | $66,700 |
| Cape Girardeau – Jackson, MO | $31.29 | $65,100 |
| Columbia, MO | $29.41 | $61,200 |
| Kansas City, MO | $33.56 | $69,800 |
| Springfield, MO | $29.32 | $61,000 |
| St. Louis, MO | $32.07 | $66,700 |
