Ohio's 3,010 ultrasound technicians earn a median $76,280 — 15% below the national average despite strong regional demand from major health systems. Five CAAHEP programs serve the state, but with Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center both expanding imaging services, competition for graduates remains intense.
Salary and employment data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Ohio
Ohio · Training Path
How to Become a Ultrasound Technician in Ohio
Five Ohio programs span from Clark State's $8,000 associate degree to Kettering College's $63,000 bachelor's option.
- 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 · Ohio
Accredited Ultrasound Technician Programs in Ohio
Accreditation matters because Ohio'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 Ohio
| Institution | Credential | Length | Estimated Cost | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Cleveland | Associate's | 2 yr | $9,000–$12,000 | CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) |
| Kettering College Kettering | Bachelor's | 4 yr | $56,000–$70,000 | CAAHEP |
| Bowling Green State University - Firelands Huron | Associate's | 2 yr | $12,000–$15,000 | CAAHEP |
| Clark State College Springfield | Associate's | 2 yr | $8,000–$10,000 | CAAHEP |
| Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati | Associate's | 2 yr | $10,000–$13,000 | CAAHEP |
Loading programs...
Loading programs...
Last verified 2026-04-05. Program details — including tuition, duration, and accreditation — verified against each institution's official website.
Ohio · Licensing Authority
Licensing and Certification in Ohio
Ohio 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 Ohio's own licensing authority.
Ohio · BLS OEWS 2024
Ultrasound Technician Salary in Ohio
ARDMS certification costs $300-$400 and opens doors to that $76,280 median immediately.
10th
$76,294
25th
$80,954
Median
$76,280
75th
$93,662
90th
$99,258
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 3,010 employed in Ohio
HealthJob Analysis · Ohio
Is It Worth It? ROI in Ohio
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 Ohio median salary of $76,280, 2% annual wage growth, no loan interest. Does not account for cost of living.
HealthJob Analysis · Ohio
AI & Automation for Ultrasound Technicians in Ohio
In Ohio, Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center pilot AI-assisted imaging tools, but the core scanning work remains hands-on across the state's health systems.
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
Ohio · Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much do ultrasound technicians make in Ohio?
- Ultrasound technicians in Ohio earn a median $76,280 per year, with the range spanning $76,294 at the 10th percentile to $99,258 at the 90th percentile. This median sits 15% below the national average, though major health systems in Cleveland and Columbus often pay above the state median.
- How long does it take to become an ultrasound technician in Ohio?
- It takes 24 months to complete an associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography at Ohio programs like Tri-C or Cincinnati State. After graduation, you'll need to pass ARDMS certification, which most students complete within 2-3 months of finishing their degree program.
- Do ultrasound technicians need a license in Ohio?
- Ohio does not require state licensure for ultrasound technicians. However, virtually all Ohio employers require ARDMS certification (RDMS, RDCS, or RVT), which serves as the profession's national credential standard.
- What ultrasound tech schools are in Ohio?
- Five CAAHEP-accredited programs operate in Ohio: Tri-C in Cleveland, Clark State in Springfield, Cincinnati State, Bowling Green State Firelands in Huron, and Kettering College. Community college programs cost $8,000-$15,000, while Kettering's bachelor's program runs $56,000-$70,000.
- Is ultrasound technician a good career in Ohio?
- Ultrasound technology offers solid career prospects in Ohio with 3,010 current positions and 10.2% national growth projected. The $76,280 median salary provides good middle-class income, though it lags behind states like California and New York where imaging technicians earn $90,000+.
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 — Ohio
Data last refreshed: February 2026