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
New York · Training Path
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.
- 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 · New York
Accredited Ultrasound Technician Programs in New York
Accreditation matters because New York'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.
4 of ~undefined accredited programs in New York
| Institution | Credential | Length | Estimated Cost | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Brooklyn | Certificate | 2 yr | $38,000–$42,000 | CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) |
| 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 |
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Last verified 2026-04-05. Program details — including tuition, duration, and accreditation — verified against each institution's official website.
New York · Licensing Authority
Licensing and Certification in New York
New York 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 New York's own licensing authority.
New York · BLS OEWS 2024
Ultrasound Technician Salary in New York
ARDMS certification costs $200 and opens doors at every major New York health system.
10th
$85,758
25th
$101,920
Median
$85,750
75th
$109,179
90th
$122,387
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 7,080 employed in New York
HealthJob Analysis · New York
Is It Worth It? ROI in New York
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 New York median salary of $85,750, 2% annual wage growth, no loan interest. Does not account for cost of living.
HealthJob Analysis · New York
AI & Automation for Ultrasound Technicians in New York
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.
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
New York · Common Questions
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: February 2026