Ultrasound Technician Schools in South Dakota (Top Sonography Programs)

Ultrasound Technician Schools in South Dakota

South Dakota is the country’s 5th least populated state and most job opportunities are to be found in Sioux Falls.

It’s expected that the demand for ultrasound technicians to grow 20% by 2024, meaning this is a great time to consider becoming one.

The main task of an ultrasound technician is to use a specially designed machine to take pictures of the inner structures of a body.

Getting Certified

While it’s not mandatory to have a certification, it is a good idea to get one, to increase the chances of finding employment.

The institution issuing certifications for ultrasound technicians is ARDMS or the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Their certificate is only given to those who pass their exam, and there are certain conditions to be met to be accepted in the examination.

The most popular is completing an accredited training program, though other ways do exist and are accepted.

This exam and certification are recognized nation-wide.

The training programs need to include hands-on practice in a setting identical to the one the professional will carry out their duties.

Future technicians will also develop the following skills:

  • Effective communication
  • Record keeping
  • Operating the ultrasound devices
  • Physiology and medical ethics
School Name Address
Mount Marty College 1105 W 8th St, Yankton, SD 57078
Presentation College 1500 N Main St, Aberdeen, SD 57401
Southeast Technical Institute 2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57107
University of Sioux Falls 1101 W 22nd St, Sioux Falls, SD 57105

Some schools don’t have ultrasound technician training programs, but they might have radiology training programs.

These programs are a good substitute for the ultrasound and sonography programs.

Radiology can also be a good introduction to this medical field.

Specializations

The ultrasound field has several specializations.

Each area uses different machines and methods to investigate the human body.

These fields are:

  • Sonography
  • MRI
  • Radiology
  • EKG
  • Vascular sonography
  • Ultrasound

For each of these areas has specific topics that would be taught during the educational programs.

The subjects might include:

  • anatomy,
  • records management
  • physiology,
  • medical psychology,
  • medical ethics
  • imaging technology.

Salary Expectations

Within each field, there are further specializations possible.

Depending on the chosen specialization and experience, the salary will vary greatly.

Annual Salary Range:
$54K
$65K
$78K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Sioux Falls $67,050
Rapid City $66,399
Aberdeen $62,352
Brookings $65,902
Watertown $65,902
Mitchell $65,902
Yankton $64,433
Pierre $63,500
Huron $64,127
Spearfish $65,252

Regional Salary in South Dakota

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Rapid City, SD60$73,260$35.22$84,720$59,700
Sioux Falls, SD210$67,190$32.3$82,810$42,080
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, OCC Code 29-2032, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Further Information

By attending a training program, individuals have the possibility of earning a degree, such as the Associates’ or the Bachelors’.

Depending on the desired degree, the program will vary in length as well.

The Associates’s degree is earned after 2 years of study and the Bachelors’s after 4 years of study.

A simple diploma or certificate can be earned after 1 year of education.

The type of credential earned will also influence the salary and the chances of developing a career in the field.

Those interested in enrolling in one of these programs might have a deeper knowledge of subjects like anatomy or math.

USA Ultrasound Technicians by State


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