New York employs 7,080 ultrasound technicians at a $85,750 median — 4% below the national average despite the state's high cost of living. Four CAAHEP-accredited programs serve the entire state, from a $6,000 certificate at Hudson Valley Community College to $49,000 at Western Suffolk BOCES. With major health systems like NYU Langone and NewYork-Presbyterian expanding imaging services, the salary-to-training ratio still works even at New York prices.
Salary and employment data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS New York
How to Become a Ultrasound Technician in New York
Four accredited programs span from Albany to Brooklyn, offering different cost structures for the same career outcome.
Accredited Programs in New York
4 programs · Verified against CAAHEP accreditation directory and institutional websites · Last verified 2026-04-05
| Institution | Credential | Length | Estimated Cost | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Brooklyn | Certificate | 2 yr | $38,000–$42,000 | CAAHEP |
| Northwell Health - North Shore University Hospital Manhasset | Certificate | 1y 8mo | $25,000–$35,000 | CAAHEP |
| Western Suffolk BOCES Northport | Certificate | 2y 1mo | $46,000–$49,000 | CAAHEP |
| Hudson Valley Community College Troy | Certificate | 1 yr | $6,000–$9,000 | CAAHEP |
Licensing and Certification in New York
Ultrasound Technician Salary in New York
ARDMS certification costs $200 and opens doors at every major New York health system.
$86k/yr
-4% vs. national ($89k/yr)10th
$86k
25th
$102k
Median
$86k
75th
$109k
90th
$122k
7,080 employed in New York
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
HealthJob Analysis
Is It Worth It? ROI in New York
At $85,750 with training costs ranging from $6,000 to $49,000, the payback timeline varies dramatically by program choice.
20-Year Net Earnings
$1,577k
Break-Even
Year 3
Education Cost (New York)
$39k
Based on New York median salary of $86k/yr and estimated program costs from New York institutions.
In New York, Mount Sinai Health System and NYU Langone have piloted AI-assisted measurement tools in their cardiac imaging labs, but sonographers still perform all patient scanning and clinical interpretation.
HealthJob Analysis
Will AI Replace Ultrasound Technician?
AI assists with probe positioning guidance and automated measurements, but cannot replace the sonographer's real-time clinical judgment during scans. The technology helps standardize image capture and reduces measurement errors, but every scan still requires a skilled technician to navigate anatomy, adjust settings, and recognize abnormalities. Current AI tools function more like advanced calculators than autonomous imaging systems.
AI guides probe placement and auto-measures but does not displace scanning; sonographer performs all scans with real-time clinical judgment (13% BLS growth).
Exo: Handheld Ultrasound with AI · Diagnostic Imaging: Sonio FDA Clearance · Mount Sinai: BrightHeart AI
Based on evidence-based AI impact methodology
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much do ultrasound technicians make in New York?
- Ultrasound technicians in New York earn a median salary of $85,750 per year, which is 4% below the national average. Entry-level positions start around $65,000 (10th percentile), while experienced technicians can earn up to $122,387 (90th percentile). The state employs 7,080 ultrasound technicians across hospitals, imaging centers, and clinics.
- What schools offer ultrasound tech programs in New York?
- Four CAAHEP-accredited programs operate in New York: Hudson Valley Community College ($6,000-$9,000), Northwell Health at North Shore University Hospital ($25,000-$35,000), SUNY Downstate ($38,000-$42,000), and Western Suffolk BOCES ($46,000-$49,000). All programs require 12-25 months and include extensive clinical rotations at major health systems. CAAHEP accreditation is required for ARDMS certification eligibility.
- Do I need a license to work as an ultrasound tech in New York?
- New York does not require a specific license for ultrasound technicians. However, virtually all employers require ARDMS certification (RDMS, RDCS, or RVT), making it effectively mandatory despite being technically voluntary. You'll take the certification exam after completing an accredited program and clinical training.
- Which hospitals in New York hire the most ultrasound technicians?
- NewYork-Presbyterian, NYU Langone Health, and Mount Sinai Health System are among the largest employers of ultrasound technicians in New York. These health systems operate multiple hospitals and imaging centers throughout the metropolitan area. Smaller regional hospitals and outpatient imaging centers also hire regularly, with many offering sign-on bonuses for certified sonographers.
- How long does it take to become an ultrasound tech in New York?
- It takes 12-25 months to complete an accredited ultrasound technician program in New York, depending on whether you choose a certificate or associate degree path. Hudson Valley Community College offers the shortest program at 12 months, while Western Suffolk BOCES requires 25 months. After graduation, you'll need 2-3 months to prepare for and pass the ARDMS certification exam before starting work.
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 — New York
Data last refreshed: April 2026
