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
Texas · Training Path
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.
- 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 · Texas
Accredited Ultrasound Technician Programs in Texas
Accreditation matters because Texas'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 Texas
| Institution | Credential | Length | Estimated Cost | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas College - El Centro Campus Dallas | Associate's | 2 yr | $5,940–$7,850 | CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) |
| 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 |
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Last verified 2026-04-05. Program details — including tuition, duration, and accreditation — verified against each institution's official website.
Texas · Licensing Authority
Licensing and Certification in Texas
Texas 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 Texas's own licensing authority.
Texas · BLS OEWS 2024
Ultrasound Technician Salary in Texas
ARDMS certification costs $395 and unlocks immediate hiring — here's what Texas employers actually pay.
10th
$76,357
25th
$84,906
Median
$76,360
75th
$97,822
90th
$104,187
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 6,110 employed in Texas
HealthJob Analysis · Texas
Is It Worth It? ROI in Texas
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 Texas median salary of $76,360, 2% annual wage growth, no loan interest. Does not account for cost of living.
HealthJob Analysis · Texas
AI & Automation for Ultrasound Technicians in Texas
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.
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
Texas · Common Questions
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.
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 — Texas
Data last refreshed: February 2026