Florida's 6,560 ultrasound technicians earn $75,830 median — 15% below the national average despite the state's massive health care sector. The gap reflects Florida's lower cost of living, but it also means your dollar stretches further than in expensive markets. Five CAAHEP programs across the state produce new sonographers, from budget-friendly community colleges to Mayo Clinic's premium certificate program.
Salary and employment data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Florida
Florida · Training Path
How to Become a Ultrasound Technician in Florida
Florida offers both community college and hospital-based training paths, with costs ranging from $7,000 at Valencia College to $21,000 for Mayo Clinic's accelerated program.
- 1
Associate Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
education2 years · $30,000-$45,000
Complete a two-year Associate's degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography from a CAAHEP-accredited program. The curriculum combines classroom instruction in anatomy and ultrasound physics with extensive supervised clinical experience in various imaging modalities.
- 2
ARDMS Certification (RDMS)
training licensing3 months · $500-$800
Prepare for and pass the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification exam to earn the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential. This certification is the industry standard and required by most employers.
- 3
Entry-Level Ultrasound Technician
career2-3 years ·
Begin working as a certified ultrasound technician in hospitals, imaging centers, or physician offices. Perform diagnostic imaging procedures, work with patients, and collaborate with physicians to provide quality diagnostic services.
- 4
Experienced Ultrasound Technician
careerOngoing ·
Advance to senior sonographer roles with specialized expertise, potentially taking on lead technician responsibilities, training new staff, or working in specialized imaging centers with higher compensation.
Accredited Programs · Florida
Accredited Ultrasound Technician Programs in Florida
Accreditation matters because Florida's licensing board typically only recognizes graduates from programs vetted by a national body. The programs below hold active accreditation and are in good standing as of the last verification date.
5 of ~undefined accredited programs in Florida
| Institution | Credential | Length | Estimated Cost | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valencia College Orlando | Associate's | 2 yr | $7,000–$9,000 | CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) |
| Eastern Florida State College Cocoa | Associate's | 2 yr | $9,000–$11,500 | CAAHEP |
| Broward College Fort Lauderdale | Associate's | 2 yr | $11,000–$14,000 | CAAHEP |
| Polk State College Winter Haven | Associate's | 2 yr | $9,000–$11,000 | CAAHEP |
| Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science Jacksonville | Certificate | 1y 9mo | $18,000–$21,000 | CAAHEP |
Loading programs...
Loading programs...
Last verified 2026-04-05. Program details — including tuition, duration, and accreditation — verified against each institution's official website.
Florida · Licensing Authority
Licensing and Certification in Florida
Florida regulates this career through the credentials below. The “issuing body” is the organization that awards and renews the credential — some are national associations, others are Florida's own licensing authority.
Florida · BLS OEWS 2024
Ultrasound Technician Salary in Florida
ARDMS certification costs $300 and opens doors to Florida's $75,830 median salary.
10th
$75,837
25th
$81,245
Median
$75,830
75th
$93,538
90th
$99,840
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 6,560 employed in Florida
HealthJob Analysis · Florida
Is It Worth It? ROI in Florida
Year 3
Break-even
$1.58M
20-year net
$39k
Education cost
20-year net earnings = cumulative income minus education cost and the years you weren't earning.
Assumes Florida median salary of $75,830, 2% annual wage growth, no loan interest. Does not account for cost of living.
HealthJob Analysis · Florida
AI & Automation for Ultrasound Technicians in Florida
In Florida, major health systems like AdventHealth and Baptist Health use AI-assisted ultrasound for cardiac screening, but sonographers still perform all diagnostic scans with AI providing measurement assistance rather than replacing human expertise.
Tasks that are changing
- AI handles major parts
- AI augments
- AI assists
- Human-only
Provide sonogram and summary of findings to physician
Select equipment settings and adjust patient positions for optimal imaging
Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record diagnostic images
Decide which images to include, identifying healthy vs pathological areas
Record and store suitable images
AI auto-captures and stores protocol-compliant images in systems like Voluson Swift and ABUS, assisting but within human-led workflows.
Maintain records including patient info, sonographs, interpretations, QA
Sonio and similar automate parts of record maintenance and QA via AI reporting, but humans oversee.
Observe screen during scan to ensure satisfactory images, adjusting equipment as required
Observe and care for patients during exams for safety and comfort
AI products in use today
Florida · Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much do ultrasound technicians make in Florida?
- Ultrasound technicians in Florida earn $75,830 median salary, which is 15% below the national average. Salaries range from $75,837 at the 10th percentile to $99,840 at the 90th percentile. The lower pay compared to national averages reflects Florida's cost of living, but your income still provides solid middle-class earnings in most Florida markets.
- What schools in Florida offer ultrasound technician programs?
- Five CAAHEP-accredited programs operate in Florida: Valencia College, Eastern Florida State College, Broward College, Polk State College, and Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science. Community college programs cost $7,000-$14,000 and take 24 months, while Mayo's certificate program costs $18,000-$21,000 for 21 months. All programs include clinical rotations at Florida hospitals.
- Do you need a license to be an ultrasound technician in Florida?
- No state license is required to work as an ultrasound technician in Florida. However, virtually all employers require ARDMS certification (RDMS, RDCS, or RVT) regardless of state law. Florida follows the national standard of professional credentials rather than state licensing for sonographers.
- How many ultrasound tech jobs are available in Florida?
- Florida employs 6,560 ultrasound technicians across hospitals, clinics, and imaging centers. This makes Florida one of the largest employers of sonographers nationally, with opportunities concentrated in major metro areas like Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Job growth matches the national 10.2% projection through 2033.
- Is ultrasound technician school worth it in Florida?
- Yes, ultrasound technician training offers strong ROI in Florida with break-even in year 3. You'll spend $7,000-$21,000 on training to start earning $75,830 median salary — that's roughly 2-5 months to recover your investment. The specialized skills command higher pay than most associate-degree health care careers.
Sources & Data
These references are used to build salary, training-path, and job-outlook estimates shown on this page.
- •Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
- •O*NET OnLine
- •ARDMS
- •ARDMS
- •ARDMS
- •HealthJob AI Impact Analysis
- •BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
- •Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS State Data — Florida
Data last refreshed: February 2026