Illinois pays ultrasound technicians $83,730 median — 6% below the national average despite housing major medical centers like Northwestern and University of Chicago Medicine. The state's 3,500 sonographers earn less than peers in neighboring Wisconsin ($91,000) or distant California ($108,000), but training costs half as much at community colleges like Joliet Junior or College of DuPage.
Salary and employment data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Illinois
Illinois · Training Path
How to Become a Ultrasound Technician in Illinois
Five CAAHEP-accredited programs serve Illinois, from $7,000 certificates at community colleges to $35,000 bachelor's degrees at Southern Illinois University.
- 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 · Illinois
Accredited Ultrasound Technician Programs in Illinois
Accreditation matters because Illinois'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 Illinois
| Institution | Credential | Length | Estimated Cost | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet Junior College Joliet | Associate's | 2y 4mo | $9,000–$12,000 | CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) |
| College of DuPage Glen Ellyn | Associate's | 2 yr | $7,000–$9,500 | CAAHEP |
| Triton College River Grove | Associate's | 2 yr | $9,000–$12,000 | CAAHEP |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale | Bachelor's | 4 yr | $30,000–$40,000 | CAAHEP |
| Mercyhealth School of Sonography Rockford | Certificate | 1y 3mo | $8,000–$12,000 | CAAHEP |
Loading programs...
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Last verified 2026-04-05. Program details — including tuition, duration, and accreditation — verified against each institution's official website.
Illinois · Licensing Authority
Licensing and Certification in Illinois
Illinois 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 Illinois's own licensing authority.
Illinois · BLS OEWS 2024
Ultrasound Technician Salary in Illinois
ARDMS certification costs $300 and opens doors across the state's hospital systems and imaging centers.
10th
$83,720
25th
$97,822
Median
$83,730
75th
$105,019
90th
$119,642
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 3,500 employed in Illinois
HealthJob Analysis · Illinois
Is It Worth It? ROI in Illinois
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 Illinois median salary of $83,730, 2% annual wage growth, no loan interest. Does not account for cost of living.
HealthJob Analysis · Illinois
AI & Automation for Ultrasound Technicians in Illinois
In Illinois, Northwestern Medicine and Advocate Health are piloting AI-enhanced ultrasound systems, but these tools assist sonographers with measurements and reporting rather than performing scans independently.
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
Illinois · Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much do ultrasound technicians make in Illinois?
- Ultrasound technicians in Illinois earn $83,730 median annually, which is 6% below the national average. The 10th percentile earns $67,200 while the 90th percentile reaches $119,600, showing significant earning potential with experience.
- Do I need a license to work as an ultrasound technician in Illinois?
- No state license is required to work as an ultrasound technician in Illinois. However, virtually all employers require ARDMS certification (RDMS, RDCS, or RVT), which serves as the industry standard for demonstrating competency.
- What ultrasound technician schools are in Illinois?
- Illinois has 5 CAAHEP-accredited sonography programs, including affordable options like College of DuPage ($7,000-$9,500) and Joliet Junior College ($9,000-$12,000). Southern Illinois University offers a bachelor's degree program for $30,000-$40,000.
- How long does it take to become an ultrasound technician in Illinois?
- Most ultrasound technician programs in Illinois take 24-28 months to complete. Mercyhealth School of Sonography offers the fastest path at 15 months, while university bachelor's programs extend to 48 months.
- Are ultrasound technician jobs in demand in Illinois?
- Illinois employs 3,500 ultrasound technicians with steady demand growth expected. The state's major health systems like Northwestern Medicine and University of Chicago Medicine regularly hire sonographers, particularly those with specialized certifications in cardiac or vascular imaging.
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 — Illinois
Data last refreshed: February 2026