Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Pennsylvania. Explore medical imaging education and career opportunities in the keystone state.
If you’ve been considering a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer, now is a great time to get started. Pursuing an education from a Sonography school in PA will set you on the path to a career in a growing field. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are the state’s largest cities, and are home to many colleges and universities offering programs in ultrasonography. Open positions for sonographers are expected to increase by 18% between 2016 and 2026.
Below you find all of the CAAHEP accredited Sonography schools in Pennsylvania that offer degree or certificate programs for 2020. Pennsylvania is expecting very strong job growth in the healthcare industry, and we’ve provided you with the resources you’ll need to research the field, as well as connecting you with programs in your area.
If you don’t see a medical sonography program listed in your area, you may want to consider one of the many other fields within healthcare. Nation-wide, job growth is expected across the industry.
Connect with Educational Programs near You
CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Programs
Each of these schools has met the CAAHEP DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines by passing a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit.
The successful completion of one of these recognized Pennsylvania DMS programs is the most comprehensive and direct way students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination.
Accredited Sonography Schools in Pennsylvania in 2020
There are many factors to consider when choosing a sonography program, from cost and proximity to job placement scores, but one of the most important is accreditation. The following ultrasound technician schools in Pennsylvania have been accredited for diagnostic medical imaging by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), as of March 2019:
| Institution Name | Location | Program Director | Initial Accreditation Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Allegheny County – Boyce Campus | 595 Beatty Road Monroeville, PA 15146 |
Eugene (Geno) Anitori EdD, RDCS, RVT, FASE | 4/27/1989 |
| Crozer-Chester Medical Center | One Medical Center Blvd Pearl Hall Upland, PA 19013 |
Barbara Annunziato MEd, RDMS, RVT, RT | 10/19/2001 |
| Great Lakes Institute of Technology | 5100 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509 |
Jessica Habig BS, RDMS, RVT | 9/17/2010 |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | One HACC Drive Blocker 106-B Harrisburg, PA 17110 |
Julia R Imboden MS, RDMS, RVT, RDCS | 5/20/2005 |
| Lackawanna College | 501 Vine St Scranton, PA 18509 |
Stephanie McDaniels BS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT, RDCS | 4/22/2004 |
| Misericordia University | 301 Lake Street Dallas, PA 18612 |
Sheryl E. Goss MS, RT(R)(S), RDMS, RDCS, RVT | 9/17/2004 |
| Mount Aloysius College | 7373 Admiral Peary Highway Cresson, PA 16630 |
Andrea Gutmann BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT | 5/20/2011 |
| Northampton Community College | 3835 Green Pond Road Bethlehem, PA 18020 |
Susan Davidson BS, RDMS | 5/14/2004 |
| Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences (see interview below) | 850 Greenfield Road Lancaster, PA 17601 |
Tara L Dianna MS, RDMS, RVT, RT(R) | 10/21/1995 |
| Pittsburgh Career Institute | 421 Seventh Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219 |
Nancy Frydrych BA, RDMS, RVT | 10/21/1995 |
| South Hills School of Business and Technology | 480 Waupelani Drive State College, PA 16801 |
Tricia Turner BS, RDMS, RVT | 9/18/2009 |
| Thomas Jefferson University | 901 Walnut St Suite 704 Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
Nandkumar Rawool MD, RDMS | 1/17/1986 |
| Westmoreland County Community College | 145 Pavilion Lane Youngwood, PA 15697 |
Lynne Walker BA, RDMS, RVT | 11/17/2017 |
Ultrasound Tech Certification Requirements in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania does not require licensure to be an ultrasound technician. However, most employers require professional certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The only way to earn certification is by taking and passing their exam.
Requirements for Ultrasound Technician Certification in Pennsylvania
The easiest way to qualify to sit for the exam is to graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). However, there are other ways to meet their requirements as well, which are detailed on the ARDMS Application Checklist. Read through them and find which is applicable to your situation.
There are many locations throughout Pennsylvania to take the exam, and you can find them on the ARDMS website at ardms.org, or by calling the test administrator group Pearson Vue at 1-877-258-9220.
Additional Certification Information
DMS Certification Overview
Learn More About the ARDMS
How Much do Ultrasound Techs in Pennsylvania Earn?
The median salary for sonogaphers in PA $66,150, which is a bit less than the national median of $71,410. If you’re just starting out as a new graduate, entry level pay is around $48,000 per year. Seasoned professionals can earn as much as $92,000.
The amount you earn depends on several factors, including experience and level of education. Where you work also plays a role. Most sonographers work in hospital settings, though outpatient care centers tend to pay the highest.
Job Growth and Salary for Ultrasound Technologist in Pennsylvania
- Median annual salary $66,150 in May of 2017.
- Jobs in medical sonography are expected to grow by 18% by 2026.
- 190 job openings are expected each year
- The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA metropolitan area has the highest employment level in the country.
This table shows you the mean annual salaries for the major metropolitan areas of Pennsylvania. You’ll find that larger metropolitan areas tend to pay better, though pay is competitive across the state. Information provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from May 2018.
| Metropolitan Area | 2017 Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,720 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA | $65,190 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $69,690 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $73,050 |
Here’s What the Experts Have to Say
Jessica Carlino (left) & PA College graduate Lauren Miller (2008) on the right.
Jessica Carlino, RDMS, RVT, is a diagnostic medical sonographer and registered vascular technician in Lancaster Pennsylvania. She is a graduate from the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences (PA College).
In an interview, Jessica Carlino, RDMS, RVT, shares her experiences with us studying sonography and working in the field at Lancaster General Health Physicians Surgical Group. She offers some helpful advice on how to be a successful student and sonographer.
“Successful sonography students should have a strong work ethic and understand how to communicate with others. Sonography is a challenging program, and is a constantly changing profession.”
Pennsylvania Sonography Scholarships
Pursuing your education can be an expensive endeavor, and scholarships can help offset some of that expense. Along with potential financial aid, scholarships can be used to help pay for tuition, books, and sometimes living expenses.
There are many different types of scholarships that you can apply for, some of which are detailed below. Details and applications can be found by visiting the individual scholarship that you’re interested in pursuing.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility Requirements | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| M. Verna Butterer Educational Trust | $14,000 | Applicant must be at least a 2-year resident of Bucks County, PA, and demonstrate financial need. | M. Verna Butterer Educational Trust P.O. Box 273 Fountainville, PA 18923 215-249-0503 |
| Pennsylvania State Grant Program | Awards vary | Financial needs-based award for high school graduates attending an approved program. | Scholarship Committee info@pheaa.org |
| NAAAP Philadelphia | $1,000 | Scholarship is for Asian or Asian-Americans attending a greater-Philadelphia accredited college. | Scholarship Committee P.O. Box 473 Philadelphia, PA 19105 |
Medical Imaging Organizations for Pennsylvania
Belonging to a society or organization within your chosen field has many benefits. Networking with your peers, learning about new technologies and procedures, and remaining current with CME requirements can all come from membership with these organizations.
There are several medical imaging societies in Pennsylvania to research, including those listed below, as well as numerous national sonography associations.
- Pennsylvania Radiological Society
- Pennsylvania Society of Radiologic Technologists
- The Hospital Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
- Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Philadelphia
In 2014, Thomas Jefferson University’s Department of Radiologic Sciences won “Best Radiologic Technologist Training Program” as part of the Minnies awards (AuntMinnie.com). The Jefferson School of Health Professions Department offers a bachelor degree in radiologic sciences where students can choose from a variety of modalities to specialize in, from nuclear medicine to cardiac or general sonography. Thomas Jefferson University is just one of several schools in Philadelphia that offers training to aspiring ultrasound technicians and other medical imagers.
As far as occupational prospects goes, diagnostic medical sonographer employment is projected to increase by 33.3% between 2012 and 2022 in the Philadelphia-Camden Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area (according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s Center for Workforce Information & Analysis). Additionally, in the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Area, the median annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers was $73,050 in May 2018.
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Ultrasound Programs in Nearby States
Frequently asked questions
What does an ultrasound technician do?
There’s much more than just imaging internal organs. Learn more at: ultrasoundschoolsinfo.com/ultrasound-technician. Get a complete job description, as well as first-hand accounts of what it’s like to be a sonographer.
How do I become a sonographer in Pennsylvania?
We’ll walk you through all of the steps, starting when you’re still in high school or before you’ve started any formal post-education program, all the way through finding a job and advancing in your career. Get Started Now.
How long do I have to go to school?
Most degree programs are completed within two years. For advanced careers, a bachelor’s degree is an option, as are one year certificates for individuals who already have an Associates of Science or related degree.
How do I know if it’s right for me?
In order to be successful in the field, you’ll need more than just technical knowledge. Here’s how you’ll know if you’ve got what it takes.
What other jobs can I get in healthcare?
There are many careers available within the healthcare industry, and we’ll introduce you to many of them here.
Advice From the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
Emily Long, part of the communications team at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences in Lancaster, PA, enjoys writing about current trends in health care and helping students get the information they need to land a job in their desired career field.
“Applying for your first job as a sonographer can seem daunting. But there are lots of great ways to start enhancing your resume before you even graduate. Applying a few of the suggestions discussed here can help you get ahead of the curve.” In this article she talks about how to build your resume while still in school to help you land your dream job upon graduation.