Becoming an ultrasound technician, or sonographer, is a way to become involved in the medical field without a master’s degree or doctorate. With just an associate degree, you can start working in this job field, an this industry is growing faster than average, with the number of jobs expecting to increase by 19% by 2016. Compared to other jobs in the medical world, you can make a large annual salary with minimal education with a degree in ultrasound technology.

Average salary in this career field depends on a number of factors. Nationally, the average hourly wage is $30.12 which means that the average annual salary for ultrasound tech is $62,660, according to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The top ten percent make $83,950 or more, and even the lowest-paid ultrasound techs can expect to make an average of $43,600 per year. That’s not bad considering that you only need two years of schooling to begin working in this industry.

Where you work can determine how much money you’ll make as an ultrasound tech. The top-paying places of employment across the United States include government organizations and colleges/universities, while the highest number of jobs are found in hospitals, physician offices, laboratories, and outpatient care centers. At all of these locations, the annual average salary is above $60,000 per year.

In addition, the state or city in which you live and work can make a huge difference in terms of annual salary. The following states had the highest average salaries for ultrasound technicians as of May 2008:

• Oregon: $76,570
• Washington: $75,320
• Connecticut: $74,260
• Massachusetts: $73,690
• Alaska: $73,290

One of these states (Connecticut) is also in among the top five states where you can find jobs in this career field. Others include Florida, New Jersey, Alabama, and Tennessee.

In general, you can make more money living in a city than you can living in a more rural area when you are an ultrasound tech. The top metropolitan areas for people pursing a degree in this field, in terms of annual salary averages, are as follows:

• Santa Cruz/Watsonville, California: $95,170
• Worcester, Massachusetts: $88,500
• San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara, California: $87,040
• Oakland/Fremont/Hayward, California: $82,010
• San Francisco/San Mateo/Redwood City, California: $80,420

It is important to keep in mind that in these cities, cost of living is also higher, so you may make the most bang for your buck in a more rural area or a different city. Luckily, ultrasound technicians are needed across the country, and that need is only rising.

Once you begin working for a hospital, organization, health care company, or other type of employer, there are a few ways in which you can effectively work to raise your annual salary. The employees who most often receive the best annual raises and other bonuses keep the following habits:

• Show up to work on time and finish tasks by their given deadlines.
• Stay with a single employer for a number of years.
• Go back to school to get your bachelor’s degree or participate in certification programs.
• Specialize in one area of ultrasound technology.
• Make happy customers your top priority so that they speak highly of you to your boss.

This is one of the best entry-level fields in the medical world, and in just a few short years you can start earning money as an ultrasound technician.

There are numerous biomedical ultrasonic applications, including tumor treatment through high intensity focused ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cataract treatment, and teeth cleaning. But perhaps the most commonly used medical application of ultrasound is in sonography used to produce images of fetuses in women's wombs. Below you'll find a list of some of the best schools offering accredited degrees that will help you enter this exciting field.