Ultrasound Technician Schools in Illinois (Top Sonography Programs)

Ultrasound Technician Schools in Illinois

Illinois is a good state to find employment as an ultrasound technician.

Most of these job openings are found in Chicago, the nation’s 3rd largest city.

Salary Expectations

Illinois has a higher cost of living, compared to other states, and this means its inhabitants also earn more than the average.

Skills and expertise will have a say on how much a technician will earn.

Annual Salary Range:
$64K
$78K
$93K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Chicago $80,949
Aurora $80,233
Naperville $79,311
Joliet $78,658
Rockford $75,596
Springfield $70,486
Elgin $79,645
Peoria $73,763
Champaign $71,739
Waukegan $76,340

Regional Salary in Illinois

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Bloomington, IL30$84,030$40.4$94,870$72,090
Carbondale-Marion, IL40$77,030$37.04$94,950$65,980
Champaign-Urbana, IL110$81,230$39.06$97,160$65,410
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI2,000$89,450$43.01$105,020$72,650
Kankakee, IL40$80,210$38.56$103,950$62,240
Peoria, IL110$80,490$38.7$92,670$65,730
Rockford, IL80$83,780$40.28$95,660$72,140
Springfield, IL120$80,990$38.94$97,140$63,090
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, OCC Code 29-2032, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Licensing Regulations

It’s important to know that it’s not mandatory to have a license in Illinois to work as an ultrasound technician.

Most employers, however, will prefer someone who can prove their skills and knowledge in the field with certification.

These are issued to those who pass the exam organized by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Completing a long educational program that award diplomas at the Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s level, is also acceptable.

These training programs need to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

The ultrasound field has several specializations and this means there are training programs for all.

These specializations have some common curriculum, but also cover topics specific to the field, as seen below.

All the programs will also include around 1,500 actual clinical hours, to help the future professional become more accustomed to the equipment they’ll be using.

Scholarships might be available for some of the students, to help them get started with their new careers.

School Name Address
Benedictine University 5700 College Rd, Lisle, Illinois 60532
Carl Sandburg College 2400 Tom L. Wilson Boulevard, Galesburg, Illinois 61401
College of DuPage 425 Fawell Blvd Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
College of Lake County 19351 W Washington St, Grayslake, IL 60030
Danville Area Community College 2000 E Main St, Danville, Illinois 61832
Harper College 1200 W Algonquin Rd Palatine, IL 60067-7398
John A Logan College 700 Logan College Drive Carterville, IL 62918
Joliet Junior College 1215 Houbolt Rd Joliet, IL 60431
Kaskaskia College 27210 College Rd, Centralia, Illinois 62801bv
Lewis University One University Parkway, Romeoville, Illinois 60446
Lincoln Technical Institute 8317 W North Ave, Melrose Park, IL 60160,
Midwestern Career College 20 North Wacker Drive Ste 3800, Chicago, Illinois 60606
Northwestern Memorial Hospital 541 N. Fairbanks Ct Suite 950 Chicago, IL 60611
Rush University 600 S. Paulina St Suite 1001 Chicago, IL 60612
Southern Illinois University 1365 Douglas Drive Carbondale, IL 62901
South Suburban College 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois 60473
Triton College 2000 Fifth Avenue River Grove, IL 60171
Vatterott College 3609 North Marx Drive, Quincy, IL 62305
Vatterott College 110 Commerce Ln, Fairview Heights, IL 62208

Ultrasound Technology Coursework

The ultrasound machines are used by most doctors to have a look at their patient’s organs, and not only.

Expect to study, among others, the following topics:

  • Introduction to Sonography
  • Clinical Education in Sonography
  • Sonographic Topics
  • Abdominal Sonography

MRI Technology Coursework

Creating 3D images of the inner parts of the human body is really easy when using an MRI machine.

These are some of the classes for this specialty:

  • Cross-Sectional Anatomy and Pathology
  • Clinical MRI and Image Production
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Emerging MRI Technologies

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Classes

Sonography can be used on all body parts, and the technician is allowed to take X-rays and to administer dyes for specific procedures.

The programs for this field usually award Associate’s or Bachelor’s degrees.

Some of the classes are:

  • Sonographic Specialties
  • Clinical Applications of Sonography
  • Cross-Sectional Anatomy
  • Computerized Sonography

Vascular Sonography Classes

Taking pictures of blood vessels and other structures around them can be difficult.

The training for this specialty will include:

  • Cerebrovascular Disease and Assessment
  • Extremity Venous Disease and Assessment
  • Ultrasound Physics
  • Abdominal Vascular Disease and Assessment

Radiology Tech Courses

Just like other specialties, radiology is very important when trying to set a diagnose.

The classes need to be strict on safety and to include:

  • Principles of Radiographic Imaging
  • Advanced Radiographic Procedures
  • Radiographic Pathology
  • Advanced Medical Imaging

Echo Tech Classes

Helping doctors taking care of their patients’ hearts and cardiovascular systems, is what these technicians do.

They need at least an Associate’s degree in this field.

These are some of the specific classes for this field:

  • Echocardiography Techniques
  • Pediatric Echocardiography
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Echocardiography Clinical Rotation

Extra Info

Community colleges and small universities are more likely to have training programs for future ultrasound technicians.

USA Ultrasound Technicians by State


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