Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Maryland. Explore medical imaging educational and career opportunities near you.
Diagnostic medical sonographers play a vital role in the care of their patients. Ultrasound techs use special equipment that uses sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. Working closely alongside physicians, sonographers analyze these images in order to prevent, diagnose and treat disease, as well as monitor the health of the fetus of an expectant mother.
Sonography is seeing a lot of positive momentum within the healthcare industry because of the high salary, short education and training period, and because job availability for sonographers in Maryland is expected to increase by 14.6% by 2026 (CareerOneStop). We will go into each of these topics further, as well as connect you with accredited ultrasound technician schools where you can receive the education you need to become a sonographer.
Connect with Educational Programs near You
CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Programs
The main organization that accredits sonography programs is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). A school receives accreditation from CAAHEP once it has met their DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines. The schools also have to pass a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit. This makes sure that the school is able to provide a high quality education to their students as they prepare to enter the healthcare workforce.
The successful completion of a recognized Maryland DMS program is the most comprehensive and direct way students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam, as well as a specialty exam. Passing both exams will allow you to receive professional certification in diagnostic medical sonography.
If you’re currently enrolled in or have been accepted to a CAAHEP accredited program, you’re also eligible to apply for the UltrasoundSchoolsInfo semi-annual $1,000 scholarship. Click here to learn more.
Accredited Sonography Schools in Maryland in 2020
The Maryland schools below have all been accredited by CAAHEP and offer degrees or certificates in diagnostic medical sonography as of August 2020:
| Institution Name | Location | Program Director | Initial Accreditation Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howard Community College | 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD 21044 |
Sepideh Abdollahzadeh DHSc, RDMS | 7/16/2015 |
| Montgomery College | 7600 Takoma Ave. Takoma Park, MD 20912 |
Linda Zanin EdD, RDMS | 10/28/1993 |
| Johns Hopkins Hospital | 111 Market Place Suite 830 Baltimore, MD 21202 |
Carol B. Iversen MS, RDMS | 4/28/1995 |
| University of Maryland, Baltimore County | 1450 S Rolling Road Baltimore, MD 21227 |
Yvonne Brotzman BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT | 1/7/1982 |
The sonography program at University of Maryland, Baltimore County was named one of the best “Up and Coming Schools” by U.S. News in 2014.
Certification Requirements in Maryland
Maryland does not require practicing ultrasound technicians to possess licensure or certification. However, many employers do prefer require professional certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), an organization that provides the most highly regarded certification for sonographers. The only way to earn their certification is by taking and passing their exam. Once you have completed their prerequisites, you can take the exam at one of the various testing locations in Maryland:
- 8401 Corporate Dr #250, Hyattsville, MD 20785
- 4350 E W Hwy #525, Bethesda, MD 20814
- 9891 Broken Land Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21046
- 3108 Lord Baltimore Dr # 103, Windsor Mill, MD 21244
- 716 Maiden Choice Ln #201, Catonsville, MD 21228
- 927 Eastern Shore Dr, Salisbury, MD 21804
Besides graduating from a CAAHEP accredited school, the second easiest way to qualify for the exam is 12 months of full-time clinical experience. Request information from several ultrasound technician schools in Maryland to ensure that they meet the certification requirements you’re looking for. You may even want to talk to prospective employers about the certification and educational requirements they have.
Additional Certification Information
Certification overview
About the ARDMS
How Much do Ultrasound Techs Make in Maryland?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual salary for sonographers in Maryland is $78,650* as of 2019. This is just above the national mean of $75,780.
Where you work, whether or not you received certification from the ARDMS, and more play a role in how much you can earn. For example, outpatient care centers tend to pay the most, though hospitals have the highest employment numbers. In addition, diagnostic medical sonography is one of the highest paying careers available for Associate’s Degree holders, though earning a Bachelor’s Degree may open you up to higher paying positions as well.
Geographic location can affect your salary as well. The table below shows the mean annual salary for different areas of Maryland, according to the BLS as of 2019:*
| Metropolitan Area | Mean Salary |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $75,970 |
| Salisbury, MD-DE | $75,510 |
| Cumberland, MD-WV | $65,080 |
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Baltimore
Baltimore has seen positive job growth in a state where many industries have seen declines in employment. The healthcare industry has been partially responsible for Baltimore’s ability to grow in a state with a lackluster economy. In 2019, there were 860 working sonographers in Baltimore, and this number is expected to increase by 14.6% by 2026 (CareerOneStop).
Attending a sonography program in Baltimore can help you become a part of the rapidly growing healthcare industry. If there isn’t a program in your area, consider pursuing one of many related careers.
Other resources:
- Getting started
- Sonographer overview
- Degrees
- What makes a great sonographer
- Careers & education
- Other jobs in healthcare
*Conditions in your area may vary.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292032.htm; and Career One Stop, http://www.careerinfonet.org/compare_wages.asp?next=compare_get_msa&level=&optstatus=111111111&id=1&nodeid=209&soccode=292032&stfips=24&jobfam=29&menuMode=&MSA=24-21-012580&MSA=24-23-013644&MSA=24-21-025180&MSA=11-23-047894&MSA=10-23-048864&x=31&y=10.