Ultrasound tech salary georgia: 9 Best Ultrasound Technician Schools in Georgia – 2023

9 Best Ultrasound Technician Schools in Georgia – 2023

Georgia is a beautiful state in which to live and work, especially if you are interested in a career in the medical industry. If you are looking for an occupation that offers a relatively high rate of pay in exchange for a two-year associate degree, then a career as an ultrasound technician is a great option. Fortunately, ultrasound techs are in high demand across the state, too. To get started, you will need to choose a school to get the education you need, and you can find a list of the best ultrasound technician schools in Georgia below. This should help you make better decisions about your education and your future in the medical industry.

RECOMMENDED ONLINE HEALTHCARE SCHOOLS

Five Tips to Make the Most Out of Your Ultrasound Tech Schooling

Your ultrasound technician program in GA will serve as the foundation for your entire career. You will learn all the skills and information you need to succeed, so it’s important that you make the most of it. Here are some ways to do just that:

• Choose a program that works for you. In order to make your program really work for you from start to finish, it’s important to choose the right one from the start. Pick a program within driving distance, and make sure the courses (and the practicum) fit your schedule.

• Find others in your program to study with. Teamwork is fantastic when it comes to studying, so another way to get the most out of your ultrasound tech schooling involves forming a study group.

• Stay organized. You will learn a lot in a very short period, so keeping your notes and homework organized is crucial.

• Keep yourself motivated. Your courses may start to wear on you over time, especially if you are also working while you go to school. Find ways to keep yourself motivated, such as putting positive affirmations around your house or reminding yourself of the salary you can earn once you finish.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your ultrasound tech program won’t be easy, and there may be times when you feel overwhelmed. Ask your professor or your classmates for help if you find yourself in this situation.

Ultrasound Technician Program Length & Cost in Georgia

The overall cost and length of your program depend on the school you choose in Georgia as well as the type of degree you want. An associate degree costs up to $39,500 and takes two years, but a bachelor’s degree can cost as much as $86,400 and takes four years. If you hold previous degree level education in the allied health field you can opt for a certificate program, this takes another 10 to 18 months and can cost anywhere from $2720 to $25,070.

Here is a List of the 9 Best Ultrasound Technician Programs in Georgia for 2023

1) Georgia Northwestern Technical College – Rome

Accreditation: CAAHEP

Program Type: Associate (Diagnostic Medical Sonography ; Adult Echocardiography & Vascular Sonography)

Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides an environment consistent to its core beliefs of teamwork, integrity and respectful behavior. Students receive quality sonography education under the able mentorship of its experienced faculty. The outstanding performance of its graduates on the ARDMS certification exams is evidence enough of the superior learning experience it provides.

GNTC offers an associate degree in ultrasound technology with an option to choose from either of the three tracks. All three tracks are a combination of extensive didactic and clinical learning. The pre-requisite courses can be taken during any semester, but the major courses start only once a year in fall.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography: The 78-credit hour program focuses on the abdomen and OB/GYN sonography. It is divided into 27 credits of pre-requisite courses and 51 credits of major coursework.

Adult Echocardiography: The 72-credit hour program prepares you for a career as an echocardiographer. It focuses on the use of ultrasound technology to study the structure and motions of the heart. The coursework is divided into 27 credits of pre-requisite courses and 45 credits of major courses.

Vascular: The 73-credit hour program prepares you for a career as a Vascular Technologist. It focuses on the use of ultrasound technology to diagnose the diseases related to the circulatory system. The coursework is divided into 27 credits of pre-requisite courses and 46 credits of major courses.

2) Augusta Technical College – Augusta

Accreditation: CAAHEP

Program Type: Associate

Augusta Technical College is an ultrasound technician school in GA that provides for effective mentorship with its small sized classes and award-winning instructors. Students are thoroughly prepared with the skills and knowledge to work as an entry-level ultrasound tech. The student-friendly services such as career counseling, financial aid, and job placements further enhance the educational experience on its campus.

The associate degree in DMS offered at ATC starting once every year in fall is a sequential, day-time program where you will earn 78 credits by completing required theory and clinical courses. The clinical experience part of the coursework is conducted at health care centers located within 35 miles of the campus, thus ensuring you will not have to travel much. By the end of this program, you will be fully prepared to effectively perform diagnostic ultrasound procedures and seek work at imaging centers, ultrasound equipment makers or acute care centers.

3) Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology – Atlanta

Accreditation: CAAHEP

Program Type: Associate (Partial Online)

Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology is well-known for offering high-quality healthcare education in the state of Georgia, at its beautiful campus located in Atlanta. It is equipped with interactive classrooms and two state-of-the-art ultrasound tech training laboratories that offer ample practice for students to hone their professional skills.

Being a healthcare college, you will have a great opportunity to interact and learn from faculty and students from other health care programs.

Cambridge’s 28-month Hybrid associate of science degree in DMS includes classroom learning and lab training along with extensive clinical practicum sessions at various medical settings in the Atlanta-region. Areas of sonography covered in the curriculum include – gynecologic, breast, pediatric sonography, vascular and Cardiovascular. The classroom learning part of the core courses is partially offered online thus providing greater flexibility to students with work and family commitments.

4) Gwinnett Technical College – Lawrenceville

Accreditation: CAAHEP

Program Type: Associate

Running with the core values of integrity, excellence, and commitment, Gwinnett Technical College is the third largest technical college in the state of Georgia. GTC’s Lawrenceville campus is spread over 88 acres and is equipped with latest equipment and simulation laboratories. With the intensive training they receive, sonography graduates of the college turn out to be competent professionals and lifelong learners.

The 22-month associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography offered at GTC is a full-time program. Classes are held during the day, and the typical class size is twelve, thus providing for personalized attention. As part of this 80-credit sequential coursework spread over 5-semesters, you will complete 19 credits in general education subjects followed by 61 credits in major courses. As part of the coursework, you will gain valuable workforce-ready skills during your clinical training sessions, which are scheduled at various GST-partnered medical sites in the region.

5) Ogeechee Technical College – Statesboro

Accreditation: CAAHEP

Program Type: Associate (Diagnostic Medical Sonography & Echocardiography) & Certificate (Health Care Science – Sonography)

Ogeechee Technical College is ranked the 14th largest out of 33 technical institutions in the state of GA. The college continuously strives to keep its sonography education relevant to meet the changing trends in the healthcare industry. Students graduate with vital job-ready skills such as critical thinking, evidence-based decision making, and communication skills.

To become an ultrasound technician in Georgia, you can choose from three types of programs offered by the college –

The 6-semester Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree Program requires you to complete 78-credit hour coursework divided into 19 credits in general education courses, eight credits in non-general education courses, and 51 credits in core occupational courses. You will need to devote a total of 2,340 contact hours to complete this program.

The 6-semester Echocardiography Associate Degree Program has 73-credit hour coursework – 19-credits in general courses, 8-credits in non-general education courses and 46-credits in core occupational courses. You can enter this program in the Fall semester, provided you have completed all the required prerequisite courses.

The 2-semester Certificate Program in Healthcare Science (Sonography Track) offers you the flexibility to enter in any semester. It is a 27-credit curriculum and requires at least 510 contact hours of education.

6) Georgia Southern University-Savannah (Armstrong Campus)

Accreditation: CAAHEP

Program Type: Baccalaureate (Radiologic Sciences: Sonography)

Established in 1935, Georgia Southern University is a public university. Being the largest comprehensive university in the south of Atlanta, GSU is well known for providing real-world like learning experience to career-focused ultrasound technician students.

Waters College of Health Professions at GSU offers a bachelor’s degree in radiologic sciences with a concentration in Sonography. Although the normal time required to complete this degree is 4-years, the amount of time can vary based on the number of classes you take. You can take a minimum of one course or a maximum of 5 courses in a semester. Due to limited seat availability, the college restricts the intake to a maximum of 20 students per year. As part of the curriculum, you are required to complete clinical training at two or more distant clinical centers.

Online Option: If you hold primary and secondary certifications, you can complete the entire course online – including the clinical and non-clinical part of the program. You will need to devote 9 hours each week – at least 3 hours for major studies and 6 hours for lab work each week. For the lab work, you may need to purchase lab equipment and perform lab experiments at your home. All instructions and lab videos will be provided to you.

7) Albany State University – Albany

Accreditation: CAAHEP

Program Type: Associate

Albany State University’s enriching interdisciplinary learning environment offers sonography students with many opportunities to interact with students from other health careers. This prepares graduates to work as efficient members of the healthcare team. Also, the college’s many affiliations with prominent regional hospitals and health centers provide students with exceptional experiential learning opportunities.

This 2-year diagnostic medical sonography program in GA starts once every year in the fall semester. You need to complete 26-credits in general education courses before being accepted into this program. The pre-requisite general education coursework will include subjects such as anatomy & physiology, general psychology, statistics, math, English, art appreciation, American government. Post-acceptance into the program you will take major courses such as physics of ultrasound, abdomen ultrasound, obstetrical ultrasound, superficial structures and pediatric ultrasound and vascular ultrasound. You will also be required to complete your clinical training at various healthcare settings in the region.

Application Process: Application to this program should be submitted before 1st June. The college will send an invitation email for a personal interview to 20 applicants out of which 14 will be selected. Factors that will play a role in the selection process include – prerequisite coursework completion, cumulative GPA, number of hours you have spent observing in a sonography setting, experience in the health care field or degree/certificate in allied health, interview, and letters of recommendation.

8) Grady Health System – Atlanta

Accreditation: CAAHEP

Program Type: Undergraduate Certificate

Grady Health System to meet the growing demand for ultrasound technicians in the state of Georgia, started the School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography in 1991. The DMS school equipped with interactive classrooms and laboratories with state-of-the-art imaging equipment offers an 18-month undergraduate certificate.

This is a full-time program where classes and clinical rotations take place only during the daytime so before enrolling ensure you are from any work commitments. Enrollment is based on competitiveness, and only 12 students are accepted each year. The program lays a strong emphasis on clinical training, where you need to spend three days per week in clinical settings at various affiliated health care settings in the Atlanta region such as Emory University Hospital, Piedmont Hospital, Northside Hospital, and Grady Memorial Hospital. During your clinical, you will work under the direct supervision of certified sonographers and rotate between pediatric imaging division, abdominal imaging division, and perinatal imaging division.

9) Columbus Technical College – Columbus

Accreditation: CAAHEP

Program Type: Associate

Columbus Technical College has come a long way since its inception in 1961. The sonography training it offers comes with rigorous didactic teaching, practice in labs and clinical rotations at various local sites. Equipped with professional skills, sonography graduates are working as entry-level ultrasound technicians at various clinical settings such as private imaging centers, hospitals, and clinics.

The 16-month associate degree program in diagnostic medical sonography offered at CTC requires completion of a 78-credit hour well-rounded curriculum. As part of the coursework, you must complete 27-credits in pre-occupational courses, followed by 51-credits occupational/core courses. The core sonography courses mainly focus on the areas of – abdominal, pelvic, OB/GYN and vascular.

*Every year roughly 40-50 students apply to this program, but only 10-12 students are accepted, based on their competitiveness.

Ultrasound Technician Career Information For Georgia – 2023

How Many Ultrasound Techs are Currently Employed in GA?

In Which Health Care Settings are Ultrasound Techs Currently Working in Georgia?

Ultrasound technicians in the Peach State work in many different settings, but the vast majority work in the state’s numerous hospitals. Aside from this, they may also work in clinics, labs, and doctors’ offices, including specialists’ offices. No matter where you work, your basic duties and responsibilities will be the same – to utilize a transducer wand and gather imagery that you can use to help a doctor diagnose a patient’s illness or injury.

Top Hospitals in Georgia to Work as an Ultrasound Tech

If you choose to work in a hospital, there are many excellent options across Georgia from which to choose. The Emory University hospital network is a great place to start; three of these locations can be found in the heart of Atlanta. Aside from this, you might choose other Atlanta facilities like Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, or you might choose to work in a different part of the state. Options include Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, University Hospital – Augusta, and Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville. University hospitals train the next generation of medical professionals and can provide excellent job security as a result.

What is the Average Salary of an Ultrasound Tech in the State of Georgia?

The average annual ultrasound technician salary in Georgia is $61,100 a year, which is the same as $29. 38 an hour. Though this salary is not as high as in some other states, it fits well with the state’s lower cost of living and is thus comparable to salaries in states like New York or even California.

Keep in mind that your salary may be higher or lower than this depending on factors like the type of degree you obtain and the amount of experience you have gained. Higher-educated and more experienced individuals tend to earn more than those who have lesser degrees and experience.

Salary Based on Years of Experience

Years of Experience	Hourly	Monthly	Annual
Less than 1 year (Starting)	$17. 08	$2,960	$35,530
1-4 years	$24.90	$4,320	$51,790
5-9 years	$29.72	$5,150	$61,810
10-19 years	$35.83	$6,210	$74,520
20 years or more	$40.61	$7,040	$84,460
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Ultrasound Tech Average Salary Comparison: Georgia vs. National

When compared to the national average salary for all ultrasound technicians in the country, which is $77,790 a year, Georgia falls $16,690 short for a difference of 27.32%.

Georgia	National	Difference
		Number	%
$61,100	$77,790	– $16,690	– 27. 32%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Job Outlook

An ultrasound technician in the state of GA can enjoy outstanding job security thanks to this occupation’s positive outlook. In 2018, there were 2,240 working across the state, but by 2028, there will be 2,940 – an addition of 700 positions. This represents growth of 31.25%, which is higher than average for all occupations at both the state and the national level.

Georgia’s population will continue to grow during this 10-year timeframe, and this is due in part to the exceptionally affordable cost of living. Whereas many retirees head to Florida to escape cold weather, others have found that Georgia offers a similar climate in a much more affordable package. The increased number of people will drive the demand for ultrasound technicians in the coming years.

Employment		Employment Growth, 2018-28
2018	2028	Number	Percent
2,240	2,940	+700	+31. 25%
(Source: careeronestop)

Annual Job Openings

Metro Wise Employment & Salary Data

Your pay can increase or decrease depending on the metro area in which you choose to work. Often, the most prestigious jobs can be found in smaller metros, while bigger cities and metropolitan areas offer a broad range of employment opportunities. Half of all ultrasound techs work in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro, and their average annual income is $62,670 a year. The highest-paying metro in Georgia, though, is Athens-Clarke County. Even though there are only 70 ultrasound techs working here, their average annual pay is $73,110.

Choosing where to work can be difficult, but it is important that you really consider the availability of jobs and weigh this with the average salary for that location. Though Atlanta employs the most ultrasound techs in the state, not all the jobs available here will pay lucratively – particularly if you choose to work in an inner-city hospital or clinic. However, by working in such facilities, you can help the state of Georgia become healthier and happier, which makes your career that much more fulfilling.

Metro	Employment	Average Salary
		Hourly	Monthly	Annual
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell	1,200	$30. 13	$5,220	$62,670
Augusta-Richmond County	150	$29.57	$5,130	$61,510
Macon	140	$29.97	$5,200	$62,340
Savannah	100	$31.48	$5,460	$65,470
Columbus	90	$26.43	$4,580	$54,970
Athens-Clarke County	70	$35.15	$6,090	$73,110
Albany	50	$26.91	$4,670	$55,980
Brunswick	50	$26. 03	$4,510	$54,150
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Georgia ‐ CareerExplorer

The average salary for a diagnostic medical sonographer in Georgia is around $75,040 per year.

Avg Salary

$48k Bottom 20%

$75k Median

$94.5k Top 20%

Diagnostic medical sonographers earn an average yearly salary of $75,040.
Wages typically start from $47,970 and go up to $94,550.

8% above national average ● Updated in 2021

In this article:

1. How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make in Georgia?
2. How do diagnostic medical sonographer salaries compare to similar careers

Diagnostic medical sonographer earnings by seniority

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Diagnostic medical sonographer salary by state

How do diagnostic medical sonographer salaries compare to similar careers?

Diagnostic medical sonographers earn about the same as related careers in Georgia.

On average, they make less than acute care nurse practitioners but more than
nurse educators.

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)

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