The terms ultrasound technician (ultrasound tech) and diagnostic medical sonographer (sonographer) are regularly used to describe the same or very similar programs of study in North Carolina (NC).
On this page, we interchange the terms ultrasound tech schools in North Carolina and sonography schools in North Carolina.
Below you will find information on the steps to becoming an ultrasound tech in North Carolina as well as information on some of the top ultrasound technician schools and related programs near you.
How to Become an Ultrasound Technician in NC
Ultrasound techs in North Carolina 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 Ultrasound Technician Schools in NC
Ultrasound tech schools in North Carolina are accredited by the CAAHEP.
Accreditation confirms that a school delivers a high level of quality education ensuring that students are well prepared for certification and entry into the healthcare field as an ultrasound technician.
There are currently 8 accredited ultrasound tech schools in North Carolina.
| College | Metro Area | Concentration | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Asheville | General, Vascular | Associates Degree |
| Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute | Hudson | General, Cardiac | Associates Degree |
| Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington | General, Cardiac | Associates Degree |
| Central Carolina Community College | Sandford | General, Cardiac | Associates Degree |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | Salem | General, Cardiac | Diploma, Associate |
| Johnston Community College | Smithfield | General, Cardiac, Vascular | Associates Degree |
| Pitt Community College | Greenville | General, Vascular | Associates Degree |
| South College - Asheville Learning Center | Asheville | General | Associates Degree |
| South Piedmont Community College | Polkton | General | Associates Degree |
| Southwestern Community College-Sylva | Sylva | General | Associates Degree |
Most schools offer either 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.
NC Certification and Licensing Requirements
Certification and licensing are not a requirement to work as an ultrasound tech in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina you can contact;
State Board: North Dakota Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners
Website: www.ndmirtboard.com
Phone: (701) 425-0861
Ultrasound Tech Salary in NC
| Average Salary | $70,960 |
| Hourly Wage | $34.11 |
| Top 10% | $92,690 |
| Bottom 10% | $54,010 |
| Employed | 2,530 |
The average ultrasound tech salary in North Carolina is $70,960 and is 9% below the national average salary for ultrasound technicians.
This translates to an hourly pay of $34.11.
The average salary for ultrasound techs in North Carolina has increased by 10%, or $6,330, 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 North Carolina make an average salary of $92,690 whilst the bottom 10%, or entry-level ultrasound techs, make just $54,010 per annum.
- Across the main cities and metro areas, ultrasound techs working in Winston-Salem earn the highest average salaries in North Carolina at $75,430 per annum. Those working in Greenville earn the lowest average salaries at $63,600 per annum.
| Area name | Average Salary | Hourly Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $74,520 | $35.83 | 570 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $73,070 | $35.13 | 240 |
| Fayetteville | $66,090 | $31.77 | 90 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $74,230 | $35.69 | 130 |
| Greenville | $63,600 | $30.58 | 120 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $63,830 | $30.69 | 80 |
| Raleigh | $69,670 | $33.49 | 320 |
| Rocky Mount | $65,390 | $31.44 | 30 |
| Wilmington | $66,300 | $31.88 | 150 |
| Winston-Salem | $75,430 | $36.26 | 230 |
Employment
There are currently 2,530 persons employed as ultrasound technicians in North Carolina (2021). This represents an increase of 45%, or 780 jobs, since 2016.
The highest number of those working as ultrasound techs in North Carolina is based in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia.
Career Outlook for Ultrasound Techs in North Carolina
Average salaries have experienced a growth of 10% since 2016 whilst the number of jobs for the profession in North Carolina has experienced an increase of 45% 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 North Carolina.
| Career | Salary | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound Tech | $70,960 | 2,530 |
| X Ray Tech | $59,680 | 7,000 |
| Cardiovascular Tech | $62,580 | 1,110 |
| Nuclear Medicine Tech | $70,940 | 530 |
| MRI Tech | $70,630 | 940 |