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 Texas (TX).
On this page, we switch between using the terms ultrasound tech schools in Texas and sonography schools in Texas.
Below you will find information on the steps to becoming an ultrasound tech in Texas as well as information on some of the top ultrasound technician schools and related programs near you.
How to Become an Ultrasound Technician in Texas
Ultrasound techs in Texas 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 Texas – 2023
Ultrasound tech schools in Texas are accredited by the CAAHEP.
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 technicians.
There are currently 26 accredited ultrasound tech schools in Texas.
| College | Metro Area | Concentrations | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alvin Community College | Alvin | Cardiac, Vascular, Pediatric | Certificate, Associate |
| Austin Community College | Austin | Cardiac, Vascular, Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associates Degree |
| The College of Healthcare Professionals | Austin | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associates Degree |
| Lamar Institute of Technology | Beaumont | Cardiac, Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Certificate, Associate |
| Texas Southmost College | Brownsville | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associates Degree |
| Del Mar College | Corpus Christi | Cardiac, Abdominal | Associates Degree |
| Lone Star College-Cy Fair | Cypress | Cardiac, Vascular, Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associates Degree |
| Dallas College - El Centro | Dallas | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vaascular | Associates Degree |
| Parker University | Dallas | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associates Degree |
| El Paso Community College | El Paso | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Certificate, Associate |
| Pima Medical Institute | El Paso | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associates Degree |
| Tarrant County College - Trinity River | Fort Worth | Vascular, Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Certificate, Associate |
| The College of Healthcare Professionals | Fort Worth | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associates Degree |
| Galveston College | Galveston | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associates Degree |
| Harris Health System | Houston | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Certificate |
| Houston Community College System | Houston | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associate, Certificate |
| Houston Internationl College | Houston | Cardiac | Certificate |
| Pima Medical Institute | Houston | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associates Degree |
| Angelina College | Lufkin | General | Associates Degree |
| Collin College | McKinney | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associates Degree |
| Midland College | Midland | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associates Degree |
| San Jacinto College | Pasadena | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associates Degree |
| St Philips College | San Antonio | Abdominal | Associates Degree |
| Temple College | Temple | Vascular, Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associate |
| Tyler Junior College | Tyler | Abdominal, Obstetrics and Gynecology | Associates Degree |
| Weatherford College | Weatherford | Vascular, Abdominal | 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.
Texas Certification and Licensing Requirements
Certification and licensing are not a requirement to work as an ultrasound tech in Texas. 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 Texas you can contact;
State Board: Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners
Website: health.state.tn.us
Phone: (615) 532-3202
Ultrasound Tech Salary in Texas
| Average Salary | $72,020 |
| Hourly Wage | $34.63 |
| Top 10% | $95,090 |
| Bottom 10% | $53,090 |
| Employed | 5,380 |
The average ultrasound tech salary in Texas is $72,020 and is 7% lower than the national average salary for ultrasound technicians.
This translates to an hourly pay of $34.63.
The average salary for ultrasound techs in Texas has dropped by -7%, or -$5,350, 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 Texas make an average salary of $95,090 whilst the bottom 10% and entry level ultrasound techs make just $53,090 per annum.
- Across the main cities and metro areas, ultrasound techs working in Waco earn the highest average salaries in Texas at $75,770 per annum. Those working in Beaumont-Port Arthur earn the lowest average salaries at $62,340 per annum.
| Area name | Average Salary | Hourly Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $64,320 | $30.93 | - |
| Amarillo | $69,050 | $33.20 | 50 |
| Austin-Round Rock | $74,650 | $35.89 | 440 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | $62,340 | $29.97 | 40 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | $69,930 | $33.62 | 60 |
| Corpus Christi | $66,700 | $32.07 | 70 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $74,600 | $35.87 | 1,390 |
| El Paso | $71,190 | $34.22 | 130 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | $71,360 | $34.31 | 1,810 |
| Killeen-Temple | $69,860 | $33.58 | 70 |
| Longview | $70,700 | $33.99 | 40 |
| Lubbock | $71,380 | $34.32 | 50 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | $73,430 | $35.30 | 110 |
| Midland | $71,060 | $34.16 | 40 |
| Odessa | $70,540 | $33.91 | 50 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $69,300 | $33.32 | 420 |
| Texarkana | $72,060 | $34.65 | 30 |
| Tyler | $64,410 | $30.97 | 60 |
| Waco | $75,770 | $36.43 | 40 |
Employment
There are currently 5,380 persons employed as ultrasound technicians in Texas (2021). This represents an increase of 4%, or 190 jobs, since 2016.
The highest number of those working as ultrasound techs in Texas is based in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land.
Career Outlook for Ultrasound Techs in Texas
Average salaries have experienced a fall of -7% since 2016 whilst the number of jobs for the profession in Texas has experienced an increase of 4% 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 Texas.
| Career | Salary | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound Tech | $72,020 | 5,380 |
| X Ray Tech | $60,680 | 16,660 |
| Cardiovascular Tech | $57,930 | 5,320 |
| Nuclear Medicine Tech | $78,450 | 1,320 |
| MRI Tech | $74,430 | 2,530 |