How much do ultrasound technicians make in Texas?

Ultrasound technicians in Texas earn a median salary of $76,360 per year, which is 15% below the national average. The 10th percentile earns $76,357 while the 90th percentile reaches $104,187, showing limited salary variation across experience levels in the state.

Do I need a license to work as an ultrasound tech in Texas?

Texas does not require state licensure for ultrasound technicians. However, virtually all employers require ARDMS certification (RDMS, RDCS, or RVT) before hiring, making the voluntary credential effectively mandatory for employment in the state.

Which Texas schools offer ultrasound technician programs?

Five CAAHEP-accredited programs operate in Texas, including Dallas College El Centro ($5,940-$7,850), Tarrant County College ($7,335-$9,000), and Austin Community College ($8,500-$10,900). All programs require 22-24 months and lead to an associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography.

How long does it take to become an ultrasound tech in Texas?

Becoming an ultrasound technician in Texas takes approximately 2-2.5 years total. You'll complete a 22-24 month associate degree program, then take the ARDMS certification exam, which most graduates pass within 2 months of graduation.

Is there high demand for ultrasound technicians in Texas?

Yes, Texas employs 6,110 ultrasound technicians — more than any state except California. Major hospital systems like Houston Methodist, Baylor Scott & White, and UT Southwestern actively recruit new graduates, often offering sign-on bonuses due to ongoing shortages.

How to Become a Ultrasound Technician in Texas (2026) — Salary, Programs & Requirements

Texas pays ultrasound technicians $76,360 median — 15% below the national average of $89,000. With 6,110 sonographers across the state, Texas employs more ultrasound techs than any other state except California, but the lower pay reflects the state's broader health care wage structure. Five CAAHEP-accredited programs from Dallas to Brownsville produce new graduates, but demand still outpaces supply at major medical centers.

Salary and employment data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Texas

How to Become a Ultrasound Technician in Texas

Texas offers ultrasound programs at community colleges statewide, with costs ranging from $4,800 at Harris Health System to $10,900 at Austin Community College.

Accredited Programs in Texas

5 programs · Verified against CAAHEP accreditation directory and institutional websites · Last verified 2026-04-05

Institution	Credential	Length	Estimated Cost	Accreditation
Dallas College - El Centro Campus Dallas	Associate's	2 yr	$5,940–$7,850	CAAHEP
Tarrant County College Fort Worth	Associate's	1y 10mo	$7,335–$9,000	CAAHEP
Harris Health System Houston	Certificate	2 yr	$4,800–$6,000	CAAHEP
Austin Community College Austin	Associate's	2 yr	$8,500–$10,900	CAAHEP
Texas Southmost College Brownsville	Associate's	2 yr	$5,000–$7,500	CAAHEP

Licensing and Certification in Texas

Credential	Issuing Body	Type	Requirement
RDMS	American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography	certification	voluntary
RDCS	American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography	certification	voluntary
RVT	American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography	certification	voluntary

Ultrasound Technician Salary in Texas

ARDMS certification costs $395 and unlocks immediate hiring — here's what Texas employers actually pay.

$76k/yr

-15% vs. national ($89k/yr)

10th

$76k

25th

$85k

Median

$76k

75th

$98k

90th

$104k

6,110 employed in Texas

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

HealthJob Analysis

Is It Worth It? ROI in Texas

At $76,360 with associate-degree training costs under $11,000, the payback timeline looks promising — but does Texas wages justify the investment?

20-Year Net Earnings

$1,577k

Break-Even

Year 3

Education Cost (Texas)

$39k

Based on Texas median salary of $76k/yr and estimated program costs from Texas institutions.

In Texas, Houston Methodist and Baylor Scott & White are piloting AI measurement tools for cardiac imaging, while UT Southwestern tests automated fetal biometry software — but the core scanning work remains hands-on.

HealthJob Analysis

Will AI Replace Ultrasound Technician?

AI assists with probe positioning and auto-measures basic structures like fetal head circumference, but cannot perform the actual scanning or make clinical judgments about image quality. The technology helps with routine measurements but requires a trained sonographer to capture the right images, adjust for patient anatomy, and recognize abnormal findings. Current AI tools serve as reference guides rather than replacements — you still control the transducer and interpret what you see in real-time.

Ultrasound TechnicianModerate AI Impact

Task Displacement

AI reference tools for 1–2 tasks

Market Deployment

Early-stage pilots at limited sites

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 Texas?: Ultrasound technicians in Texas earn a median salary of $76,360 per year, which is 15% below the national average. The 10th percentile earns $76,357 while the 90th percentile reaches $104,187, showing limited salary variation across experience levels in the state.
Do I need a license to work as an ultrasound tech in Texas?: Texas does not require state licensure for ultrasound technicians. However, virtually all employers require ARDMS certification (RDMS, RDCS, or RVT) before hiring, making the voluntary credential effectively mandatory for employment in the state.
Which Texas schools offer ultrasound technician programs?: Five CAAHEP-accredited programs operate in Texas, including Dallas College El Centro ($5,940-$7,850), Tarrant County College ($7,335-$9,000), and Austin Community College ($8,500-$10,900). All programs require 22-24 months and lead to an associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography.
How long does it take to become an ultrasound tech in Texas?: Becoming an ultrasound technician in Texas takes approximately 2-2.5 years total. You'll complete a 22-24 month associate degree program, then take the ARDMS certification exam, which most graduates pass within 2 months of graduation.
Is there high demand for ultrasound technicians in Texas?: Yes, Texas employs 6,110 ultrasound technicians — more than any state except California. Major hospital systems like Houston Methodist, Baylor Scott & White, and UT Southwestern actively recruit new graduates, often offering sign-on bonuses due to ongoing shortages.

National Ultrasound Technician overview →

Sources & Data

These references are used to build salary, training-path, and job-outlook estimates shown on this page.

Data last refreshed: April 2026