Please note: The terms ultrasound technician (ultrasound tech schools) and diagnostic medical sonographer (sonography schools) are regularly used to describe the same or very similar programs of study.
How to become an Ultrasound Tech in California
Ultrasound techs in California will typically have earned either a 2-year associate’s degree or a 4-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited ultrasound tech school, followed by certification from a recognized certifying body. However, certification is not a statutory requirement in California.
Below you will find more information on the top ultrasound technician schools and related programs near you in California and further information on certification, salary and employment.
Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools California
The best ultrasound tech schools in California are accredited by the CAAHEP. Accreditation confirms that a school delivers a high-quality education, ensuring that students are well prepared for certification and entry into the healthcare field as an ultrasound technician.
There are currently 12 CAAHEP-accredited ultrasound tech schools in California – listed below.
| College | Metro Area | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| CBD College | Los Angeles | Associates Degree |
| Community Regional Medical Center | Fresno | Certificate |
| Consumnes River College | Sacramento | Certificate, Associate |
| Cypress College | Cypress | Certificate, Associate |
| Foothill College | Los Altos Hills | Certificate, Associate |
| Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences | Richmond | Certificate, Bachelor |
| Loma Linda University | Loma Linda | Certificate |
| Merced College | Merced | Certificate |
| Mt. San Jacinto College-Menifee | Menifee | Associates Degree |
| Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa | Associates Degree |
| Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara | Certificate |
| University of California San Diego Medical Center | San Diego | Certificate |
Browse the map below to find an accredited school near you.
Los Angeles Area Schools
CBD College
CBD College is located at a modern, state-of-the-art campus on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. It is a non-profit college specializing in providing expert training for careers in healthcare. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health and Education Schools (ABHES).
The career-focused programs offered by the College are all designed so that they can be completed in quite a short timeframe.
The associate’s degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography offered at CBD College is CAAHEP accredited and can be completed in as little as 20 months. Much of the program content can be delivered online with hands-on, in-person training taking place at the college’s state-of-the-art imaging centre. There are also night-class options available.
Find out more here: https://www.cbd.edu/programs/diagnostic-medical-sonography/
Cypress College
Cypress College is located in North Orange County on a 110-acre campus. It is a 2-year college with a student population of around 16,000.
The college offers a wide array of program options, including shorter-term career-focused programs and university transfer-oriented programs. The college boasts one of the lowest tuition rates in the state of California and can assist with financial aid and scholarships.
For those interested in careers in sonography and ultrasound, you have two program options at Cypress College – a Diagnostic Medical Sonography certificate program or a Diagnostic Medical Sonography associate in science degree. Both programs are CAAHEP accredited and offer concentrations in abdominal obstetrics and gynaecology.
It will take 21 months to complete a program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Cypress College at the cost of just $46 per unit for state residents. This does not include books, additional fees, and other supplies.
The school reports a 100% graduation rate for its 15 sonography students in 2021 and a pass rate of 100% for the ARDMS exams.
For more information, visit: https://careers.cypresscollege.edu/programs/diagnostic-medical-sonography/
San Francisco Bay Area Schools
San Diego
Sacramento
Ultrasound
California Certification and Licensing Requirements
Certification and licensing are not a requirement to work as an ultrasound tech in California. However, in today’s competitive jobs market certification is strongly recommended given that most employers seek certification as a mark of skills level and credentials.
In order to become certified, you will need to successfully pass the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exams.
Successful completion of an approved program at an accredited school is an essential requirement to qualify to sit the certification exams.
Other certification options are available to those wishing to specialize in a particular area such as cardiac and ophthalmic including the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Opthalmology (JCAHPO).
If you have any further questions about certification or licensing for ultrasound techs in California you can contact;
State Board: California Department of Public Health Sonographer Health Branch
Website: cdph.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 327-5106
Ultrasound Tech Salary in California
| Average Salary | $108,400 |
| Hourly Wage | $52.11 |
| Top 10% | $159,260 |
| Bottom 10% | $69,060 |
| Employed | 7,030 |
The average ultrasound tech salary in California is $108,400 and is 39% greater than the national average salary for ultrasound technicians.
This translates to an hourly pay of $52.11.
The average salary for ultrasound techs in California has increased significantly by 16%, or $15,050, since 2016.
The above data is taken from studies released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2021.
Salary Range
- The top 10% of earners in the profession in California make an average salary of $159,260 whilst the bottom 10% or entry level ultrasound techs make just $69,060 per annum.
- Across the main cities and metro areas, ultrasound techs working in Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade earn the highest average salaries in California at $138,130 per annum. Those working in El Centro earn the lowest average salaries at $72,820 per annum.
| Area name | Average Salary | Hourly Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $93,230 | $44.82 | 110 |
| Chico | $95,960 | $46.14 | 50 |
| El Centro | $72,820 | $35.01 | - |
| Fresno | $104,030 | $50.02 | 150 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $103,070 | $49.55 | 2,570 |
| Madera | $90,910 | $43.71 | 60 |
| Modesto | $107,110 | $51.49 | 160 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $96,220 | $46.26 | 110 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $96,490 | $46.39 | 700 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade | $138,130 | $66.41 | 460 |
| Salinas | $112,940 | $54.30 | 60 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad | $103,900 | $49.95 | 460 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward | $121,210 | $58.27 | 930 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $119,980 | $57.68 | 400 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande | $85,090 | $40.91 | 70 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | - | - | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $99,880 | $48.02 | 90 |
| Santa Rosa | $126,610 | $60.87 | 70 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $121,710 | $58.52 | 90 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield | $115,070 | $55.32 | 140 |
| Visalia-Porterville | $92,370 | $44.41 | 40 |
Employment
There are currently 7,030 persons employed as ultrasound technicians in California (2021). This represents an increase of 25%, or 1,390 jobs, since 2016.
The highest number of those working as ultrasound techs in California are based in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim.
Career Outlook for Ultrasound Techs in California
Average salaries have experienced 16% since 2016 whilst the numbers of jobs for the profession in California has experienced an increase of of 25% over the same period.
Going forward the Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment growth of 12% between 2019 and 2029. This is much faster than the average for all other professions.
The table below compares salary and employment for ultrasound techs with similar or related healthcare careers in California.
| Career | Salary | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound Tech | $108,400 | 7,030 |
| X Ray Tech | $95,010 | 16,670 |
| Cardiovascular Tech | $79,490 | 4,650 |
| Nuclear Medicine Tech | $121,070 | 1,270 |
| MRI Tech | $106,040 | 2,870 |