The ultrasound technician job outlook in 2017 is bright. Between 2014 and 2024, the number of sonography jobs is expected to increase by 26.4 percent nationally. By comparison, total growth by 2024 for all job sectors in the U.S. is expected to be 6.5 percent according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Sonography also surpasses other related healthcare fields by 19 percent anticipated job growth as a result of its increasing popularity as a low-risk, non-invasive and powerful diagnostic tool.
As the large population of baby boomers continues to age and requires more medical care, sonography, both mobile and institution-based, is uniquely positioned to play a significant role in the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. While hospitals still provide approximately 62 percent of ultrasound jobs, growth is expected to increase in outpatient facilities in 2017 as ultrasound equipment continues to become more mobile and less expensive to acquire and operate. For those interested in Canadian opportunities, Statistics Canada likewise indicates good job prospects in this field. | See Job Openings
Ultrasound Technician Employment by Industry in 2016
With ultrasound technician employment in excess of 39,690 jobs, however, hospitals will continue to be the dominant provider of sonography employment opportunities in the near future. This is followed by ambulatory health care services whose current ultrasound technician population is nearing 24,800. Smaller numbers are employed in industries ranging from educational services with 620 sonographer jobs to administrative and support services with 370 jobs. Employment in company management, enterprises, government and educational services is estimated at less than 6050 total. Whether large or small, all industries for which data is available saw growth in sonography employment between 2011 and 2016 although the rate of growth varies.
Table of Employment by Industry
| by Industry | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 19,690 | Combined with hospital data | 21,780 | 22,770 | 23,020 | 24,800 |
| Hospitals in General | 33,330 | 56,010 | 34,960 | 36,010 | 36,680 | 39,690 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | 40 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 60 | 60 | 50 | 60 | 60 | 50 |
| Administrative and Support Services | 370 | 410 | 400 | 330 | 300 | 370 |
| Educational Services including universities, colleges and schools | 650 | 600 | 460 | 760 | 460 | 620 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) | 40 | no data | no data | 4,990 | 5,260 | 5,350 |
If you want to know in which industry ultrasound technicians get paid well, please read sonography salary affected by industry, or visit Salary Data by Industry in 2016 for more details.
Sonography Technician Employment by States in 2016
Location will continue to be a significant variable in terms of career opportunities for sonographers in future.
California leads the way with total estimated employment in sonographer jobs of 5,640 in 2016. Texas is the next with the number of 5,190 sonography positions while Florida employs 5,120 ultrasound technologists. The next highest states are New York with 4,730 comparable jobs and Pennsylvania with 2,530 employed sonographers.
At the other end of the spectrum, Wyoming and Alaska have the same number of 70 employed sonographers, and Vermont has 80 sonographers, each of North Dakota and Delaware employs fewer than 165 ultrasound technologists. | See Job Openings
2 Tables of the Highest and Lowest Employment States in 2016
Sonography Technician Employment by Areas in 2016
Areas in and around New York City including parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania as well as Long Island, White Plains and Jersey City, NY, had by far the highest employment of any metropolitan area with a combined total of 8,010 currently employed in sonography. For the Chicago area including Naperville and Elgin, the figure is 1,840 followed by Houston, The Woodlands and Sugar Land, TX at 1,660 and Miami–Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL at 1,650. The lowest number of sonographer jobs is in non-metropolitan areas of Southeast Alabama, as well as Clarksville, TN-KY, Sebring, FL, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC and Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO.
2 Tables of the Highest and Lowest Employment States in 2016
Do you know how the location affects ultrasound technician salaries? Read 4 Factors Affecting Sonography Salaries to find the answer. You can also visit ultrasound technician salary data by state in 2016, or ultrasound salary data by area in 2016.
Refer to this section if you want to know the ultrasound technician employment data in 2016 in other states and metropolitan areas.