Ultrasound Technician Schools in Virginia (Top Sonography Programs)

Ultrasound Technician Schools in Virginia

The sonography field keeps growing in Virginia, so it may be a good idea to start a new career.

However, there are some aspects you need to consider before working in the field.

Check out the info below for more information.

Training Requirements in Virginia

Sonographers in this state don’t really need a license to perform, but one could be useful when looking for a job.

The first step you need to take is to start your training in a community college or school.

It will be easier if the program you enroll in is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health.

The program varies depending on the level of education you want to pursue and your time.

An ultrasound tech diploma only takes a year to complete.

Higher education like a Masters, Associate’s or Bachelor’s can take between 2 to 4 years to finish.

In this state, you can take a course physically or in person.

Full time and part-time classes are also offered by several schools.

The training course is followed by an exam, after which you will receive a license issued by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography or The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Virginia offers numerous exam centers all throughout the state.

You can also choose to study in a non accredited school, but the requirements are different.

School Name Address
ECPI University 5555 Greenwich Rd Ste 300, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
Northern Virginia Community College 6699 Springfield Center Drive Springfield, VA 22150
Northern Virginia Community College 4001 Wakefield Chapel Rd, Annandale, Virginia 22003
Piedmont Virginia Community College 501 College Drive Charlottesville, VA 22902
Southside College of Health Sciences 430 Clairmont Ct, Suite 200 Colonial Heights, VA 23834
Tidewater Community College 1700 College Crescent Virginia Beach, VA 23453
Tidewater Community College 3303 Airline Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701
Tidewater Community College 121 College Place, Norfolk, Virginia 23510

You will have to finish:

  • a mandatory internship
  • gather 60 credit hours of education before applying.

Candidates are also required to submit documentation that proves the criteria were met.

After receiving your certification, it needs to be renewed every other year.

For this, you must take 24 extra hours of education.

Regardless of the program, you enroll in, you will have to take some specific ultrasound classes.

Some of these include:

  • Recordkeeping,
  • Effective communication,
  • Learning how to operate the machines.

You will also have to attend a number of practice hours.

Virginia also allows you to get specialization, such as cardiac imagery, MRI tech or x-ray tech.

Any of these will provide you with extra credentials, which will result in improved work opportunities.

Job Opportunities in Virginia

There are numerous medical facilities where you can work as an ultrasound therapist in Virginia.

These include:

  • Hospitals,
  • Clinics
  • Doctor’s offices.

In Virginia, ultrasound jobs are expected to increase by 32% until 2024.

According to a report from 2015, the median salary for an ultrasound tech is $69,800 per year in this state.

Annual Salary Range:
$62K
$76K
$90K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
Location Avg. Annual Salary
Virginia Beach $73,140
Norfolk $72,038
Chesapeake $71,946
Arlington $84,669
Richmond $76,676
Newport News $71,671
Alexandria $84,669
Hampton $71,671
Roanoke $70,659
Portsmouth $72,038

Regional Salary in Virginia

Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA**$76,800$36.92$91,080$72,800
Lynchburg, VA90$71,450$34.35$90,190$52,070
Richmond, VA460$79,090$38.02$98,860$60,600
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC370$74,970$36.04$88,890$63,780
Winchester, VA-WV40$81,580$39.22$101,870$63,450
* 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.

This means that there are plenty of career growth opportunities for those working in the field.

All you need to do is choose the right school to train at, after which you can get hired in a location of your choice.

USA Ultrasound Technicians by State


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