Oregon requires state registration for ultrasound technicians — one of just three states with this requirement. At $95,240 median salary, the state pays 7% above national average, but that premium barely keeps pace with Portland's cost of living.
Salary and employment data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Oregon
Oregon · Training Path
How to Become a Ultrasound Technician in Oregon
Oregon's accredited programs range from 12-month completion programs to full associate degrees, giving you flexibility in how to enter the field.
- 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 · Oregon
Accredited Ultrasound Technician Programs in Oregon
Look for programs with strong clinical partnerships — you want 500+ hours of hands-on scanning experience at real hospitals, not just classroom work. Ask about ARDMS pass rates and whether graduates get job offers from their clinical sites. Class size matters too — smaller cohorts mean more equipment time per student.
3 accredited programs in Oregon
| Institution | Credential | Length | Estimated Cost | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls | Bachelor's | 4 yr | $28,000–$36,000 | CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) |
| Oregon Institute of Technology (Online) Klamath Falls | Bachelor's Completion | 1 yr | $10,000–$16,000 | CAAHEP |
| Concorde Career College – Portland Portland | Associate | 1y 8mo | $32,000–$42,000 | CAAHEP |
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Last verified 2026-04-03. Program details — including tuition, duration, and accreditation — verified against each institution's official website.
Oregon · Licensing Authority
Licensing and Certification in Oregon
You don't need a state-approved school to sit for ARDMS exams, but the certification is tough without formal training — most self-study candidates fail. If you're choosing between RDMS (general sonography), RDCS (cardiac), and RVT (vascular), pick RDMS first — it opens the most doors and you can add specialty credentials later.
Oregon · BLS OEWS 2024
Ultrasound Technician Salary in Oregon
ARDMS certification plus Oregon state registration gets you started — here's what Oregon employers pay.
Oregon ultrasound technicians earn $95,240 median — about $6,000 more per year than the national average before taxes. That extra $500 per month helps offset Oregon's higher housing costs, but the gap narrows when you factor in Portland-area rent that often exceeds $1,500 for a one-bedroom.
10th
$95,243
25th
$108,222
Median
$95,240
75th
$124,779
90th
$130,874
| How it compares | Median | vs. Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon (you are here) | $95,240 | — |
| California | $86,040 | -10% |
| New York | $85,750 | -10% |
| Illinois | $83,730 | -12% |
| Texas | $76,360 | -20% |
| National | $89,340 | -6% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 1,160 employed in Oregon
HealthJob Analysis · Oregon
Is It Worth It? ROI in Oregon
Yes — $1,577k 20-year net and break-even by year 3 make ultrasound tech a strong choice in Oregon despite higher training costs.
Year 3
Break-even
$1.58M
20-year net
$39k
Education cost
By year 3, you've earned back the $39k in training costs plus the wages you missed while studying. From there, every paycheck is net gain — which is why the 20-year total reaches $1,577k even after subtracting all costs. You break even faster than most health care careers because training is short and starting salaries are high.
20-year net earnings = cumulative income minus education cost and the years you weren't earning.
What the first 10 years look like
| Year | What happens | Cumulative net |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | In training. Net cost so far: -$38k. | -$38k |
| Year 3 | In training. Net cost so far: +$26k. | +$26k |
| Year 5 | Early-career earnings compound. Net +$196k lifetime. | +$196k |
| Year 10 | Mid-career median pay kicks in. Net +$652k lifetime. | +$652k |
A bachelor's in business administration costs $60k and takes 6 years to break even — ultrasound tech in Oregon delivers faster payback and higher lifetime earnings.
Assumes Oregon median salary of $95,240, 2% annual wage growth, no loan interest. Does not account for cost of living.
HealthJob Analysis · Oregon
AI & Automation for Ultrasound Technicians in Oregon
The tasks most exposed to AI are post-scan measurements and report generation — software can auto-calculate cardiac output or flag abnormal findings. The tasks that remain fully human are probe positioning, real-time scanning adjustments, and patient interaction. If you pick this career, focus on specialties like cardiac or vascular that require complex real-time interpretation — these command higher pay as AI handles the routine measurements.
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
Oregon · Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much do ultrasound technicians make in Oregon?
- Ultrasound technicians in Oregon earn a median of $95,240 per year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $95,243, while the top 10% earn $130,874. Oregon pays about 7% above the national median.
- Do I need a license to be an ultrasound technician in Oregon?
- Yes, Oregon requires state registration for ultrasound technicians. You must complete an accredited program, pass ARDMS certification, and register with Oregon's health authority. Most states don't require licensing, making Oregon unusual.
- What ultrasound tech programs are available in Oregon?
- Oregon has CAAHEP-accredited programs at Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls and Concorde Career College in Portland. OIT offers both campus and online options, while Concorde focuses on hands-on associate degree training.
- How long does it take to become an ultrasound technician in Oregon?
- Full associate degree programs take 20-24 months, while completion programs for those with prior health care education take 12 months. After graduation, you need to pass ARDMS certification and complete Oregon state registration before starting work.
- Is ultrasound tech a good career in Oregon?
- Yes, ultrasound tech offers strong ROI in Oregon with $95,240 median salary and break-even by year 3. Training costs around $39k but you start earning immediately after certification, making it one of the faster payback health care careers.
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 — Oregon
Data last refreshed: April 2026