Ultrasound technician (ultrasound tech) and diagnostic medical sonographer (sonographer) are very similar careers and are typically used to describe the same or very similar programs of study in Florida (FL).
For this guide, we shall use the terms ultrasound tech schools in Florida and sonography schools in Florida interchangeably.
Below you will find information on the requirements to become an ultrasound tech in Florida as well as details on some of the best ultrasound technician schools and colleges near you.
Requirements to Become an Ultrasound Tech in Florida
Ultrasound techs in Florida will typically have earned either a 2-year associate’s degree or a 4-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, followed by certification from a recognized certifying body.
Top 25 Accredited Ultrasound Tech Schools Florida for 2023
The best ultrasound tech schools in Florida are accredited by the CAAHEP or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
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 25 ABHES and/or CAAHEP-accredited ultrasound tech schools in Florida.
| College | Metro Area | Degree | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology | Altamonte Springs | Associate | CAAHEP, ABHES |
| City College | Altamonte Springs | Associate | ABHES |
| Broward College | Coconut Creek | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Keiser University | Daytona Beach | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology | Delray Beach | Associate | CAAHEP, ABHES |
| Keiser University | Fort Myers | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Keiser University | Ft. Lauderdale | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Santa Fe College | Gainesville | Associate | CAAHEP |
| City College* | Hollywood | Associate | ABHES |
| Ascension St Vincents Riverside | Jacksonville | Certificate | CAAHEP |
| Concorde Career Institute | Jacksonville | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Eastern Florida State College | Melbourne | ||
| Keiser University | Melbourne | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology | Miami | Associate | CAAHEP, ABHES |
| Miami Dade College | Miami | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Southeastern College | Miami Lakes | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Keiser University | New Port Richey | Associate | CAAHEP |
| AdventHealth University | Orlando | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Valencia College | Orlando | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Palm Beach State College | Palm Beach Gardens | Certificate, Associate | CAAHEP |
| Concorde Career Institute | Tampa | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Hillsborough Community College | Tampa | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Southern Technical College | Tampa | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Southeastern College | West Palm Beach | Associate | CAAHEP |
| Polk State College | Winter Haven | Associate | CAAHEP |
Most schools offer an associate’s degree program that can be completed in as little as 2 years. Some schools will also offer a 4-year bachelor’s degree or even a 1-year certificate program. For information on program concentrations such as cardiac, vascular, abdominal and obstetrics view detailed school and program information below.
Certification and Licensing in Florida
Certification and licensing is not a requirement to work as an ultrasound tech in Florida however most employers will have a preference for candidates who have obtained certification.
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.
An associate’s degree from an accredited school is a necessary prerequisite to taking these 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 Florida you can contact;
State Board: Florida Dept of Health Radiology Technology Certification
Website: www.floridahealth.gov/
Phone: (850) 488-0595
Ultrasound Tech Salary in Florida
| Average Salary | $68,010 |
| Hourly Wage | $32.70 |
| Top 10% | $87,450 |
| Bottom 10% | $48,000 |
| Employed | 5,520 |
The average ultrasound tech salary in Florida is $68,010 and is 13% below the national average salary for ultrasound technicians.
This equates to an hourly pay of $32.70.
The average salary for ultrasound techs in Florida has grown by 9%, or $5,360, 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 Florida make an average salary of $87,450 whilst the bottom 10% or entry level ultrasound techs make just $48,000 per annum.
- Across the main cities and metro areas, ultrasound techs working in Tallahassee earn the highest average salaries in Florida at $90,070 per annum. Those working in Sebastian-Vero Beach earn the lowest average salaries at $49,090 per annum.
| Area name | Average Salary | Hourly Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | $77,060 | $37.05 | 230 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | $65,510 | $31.50 | 80 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | $62,820 | $30.20 | 110 |
| Gainesville | $63,750 | $30.65 | 140 |
| Jacksonville | $75,130 | $36.12 | 460 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | $68,670 | $33.02 | 140 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $64,680 | $31.09 | 1,540 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island | $75,990 | $36.53 | 110 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton | $72,750 | $34.98 | 260 |
| Ocala | $58,890 | $28.31 | 60 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $70,200 | $33.75 | 960 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | $70,330 | $33.81 | 160 |
| Panama City | $60,390 | $29.04 | - |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | $57,900 | $27.83 | 140 |
| Port St. Lucie | $65,940 | $31.70 | 80 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach | $49,090 | $23.60 | 60 |
| Tallahassee | $90,070 | $43.30 | 70 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $66,280 | $31.87 | 670 |
| The Villages | $62,990 | $30.28 | 40 |
Employment
There are currently 5,520 persons employed as ultrasound technicians in Florida (2021). This represents an increase of 8%, or 400 jobs, since 2016.
The highest number of those working as ultrasound techs in Florida are based in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach.
Career Outlook for Ultrasound Techs in Florida
Average salaries have experienced an increase of 9% since 2016 whilst the numbers of jobs for the profession in Florida has experienced an increase of of 8% 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 Florida.
| Career | Salary | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound Tech | $68,010 | 5,520 |
| X Ray Tech | $57,600 | 14,170 |
| Cardiovascular Tech | $49,550 | 5,230 |
| Nuclear Medicine Tech | $76,230 | 1,510 |
| MRI Tech | $66,900 | 3,210 |