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
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.
Accredited Programs in Ohio
5 programs · Verified against CAAHEP accreditation directory and institutional websites · Last verified 2026-04-05
| Institution | Credential | Length | Estimated Cost | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Cleveland | Associate's | 2 yr | $9,000–$12,000 | CAAHEP |
| 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 |
Licensing and Certification in Ohio
Ultrasound Technician Salary in Ohio
ARDMS certification costs $300-$400 and opens doors to that $76,280 median immediately.
$76k/yr
-15% vs. national ($89k/yr)10th
$76k
25th
$81k
Median
$76k
75th
$94k
90th
$99k
3,010 employed in Ohio
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
HealthJob Analysis
Is It Worth It? ROI in Ohio
At $76,280 with roughly $25,000 in training costs, the payback math looks solid — but Ohio's below-national wages mean longer break-even than coastal states.
20-Year Net Earnings
$1,577k
Break-Even
Year 3
Education Cost (Ohio)
$39k
Based on Ohio median salary of $76k/yr and estimated program costs from Ohio institutions.
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.
HealthJob Analysis
Will AI Replace Ultrasound Technician?
AI tools now assist with probe placement guidance and automatic measurement calculations, but they cannot replace the real-time clinical judgment required during patient scanning. Current AI systems like Caption Health's guidance software help with probe positioning, while automated measurement tools speed up report generation. However, every scan still requires a trained sonographer to navigate patient anatomy, recognize pathology, and adapt technique in real-time — skills that remain distinctly human.
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 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: April 2026
