New Jersey is the 11th most populous state in the US, with over 2,420 sonographers employed by May 2012 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Ultrasound technician salary in New Jersey is actually higher than the annual average income for sonographers in the entire country. With the upward trend of employment and salary for sonographers predicted to continue in 2014, the job outlook for sonography technicians in NJ is very good compared to other providers.
Job outlook in New Jersey
The latest information from the BLS reveals that by mid-2012, there were over 2,000 sonographers working in the state of NJ. Ultrasound technician salary in NJ was $68,080 annually during that year, with an average hourly salary of $32.73. The median salary was only a few cents lower at $32.48.
In 2012, there were 110,400 sonographers employed in the entire country. The predicted increase in employment levels by 2022 is 39%, adding a total of 42,700 jobs to the tally. The predicted number of sonographers working in 2022 is 153,200, 67,300 of these are cardiovascular sonographers and 85,900 are general sonographers.
In 2012, there were 110,400 sonographers employed in the entire country. The predicted increase in employment levels by 2022 is 39%, adding a total of 42,700 jobs to the tally. The predicted number of sonographers working in 2022 is 153,200, 67,300 of these are cardiovascular sonographers and 85,900 are general sonographers.
Sonographers and Other Healthcare Occupations
During the same period (2012), there were 74,700 registered nurses working in NJ. They have an annual salary of $75,820 with a mean hourly wage of $36.45 and a median hourly wage of $36.49. This reflects the nationwide average salary of registered nurses, since an RN is one of the country’s highest paying jobs, especially in the healthcare industry.
There were also more licensed practical nurses than sonographers, with 14,360 LPNs working in the state. However, their annual salary was well-below that of a sonographer’s at $51,350, with a mean hourly wage of $24.69 and a median hourly wage slightly higher at $25.07.
Radiologic technologists were more or less on the same standing, with an employment level of 5,560 and an annual salary of $62,810. Like LPNs, while the employment rate is better than sonographers’, the salary is slightly lower.
While nuclear medicine technologists are medical technologists as well, there are only a few of them working in NJ. Their employment level is at 680 by 2012, which can explain the very high annual income of $81,830. The mean hourly salary was $39.34, with a higher median hourly wage of $39.59.
There were also more licensed practical nurses than sonographers, with 14,360 LPNs working in the state. However, their annual salary was well-below that of a sonographer’s at $51,350, with a mean hourly wage of $24.69 and a median hourly wage slightly higher at $25.07.
Radiologic technologists were more or less on the same standing, with an employment level of 5,560 and an annual salary of $62,810. Like LPNs, while the employment rate is better than sonographers’, the salary is slightly lower.
While nuclear medicine technologists are medical technologists as well, there are only a few of them working in NJ. Their employment level is at 680 by 2012, which can explain the very high annual income of $81,830. The mean hourly salary was $39.34, with a higher median hourly wage of $39.59.
Sonographers in Other States
Compared to NJ, New York is actually one of the top five states with the highest employment levels for sonographers. In 2012, the state had over 4,040 sonographers employed, earning $66,440 annually. Mean wage was $31.94. This is slightly below NJ.
Like NY, Pennsylvania is one of the top five states with the highest employment levels in the country. There were 2,610 sonographers employed with an annual income of $58,240. Similarly, the non-metropolitan area of East Central Pennsylvania was one of the top five non-metropolitan areas in the country with the best employment levels at 120 sonographers, earning $69,320 in a year.
Compared to NJ, Delaware has a very low employment level for sonographers. There were only 120 sonographers employed in DE in 2012. Despite the low levels of employment, annual salary in DE was only slightly lower than NJ at $66,740.
Maryland had 1,140 sonographers employed by May 2012. They had higher salary at $72,790 annually, with an hourly rate of $34.99. There are complete details on salary by state through the link.
Like NY, Pennsylvania is one of the top five states with the highest employment levels in the country. There were 2,610 sonographers employed with an annual income of $58,240. Similarly, the non-metropolitan area of East Central Pennsylvania was one of the top five non-metropolitan areas in the country with the best employment levels at 120 sonographers, earning $69,320 in a year.
Compared to NJ, Delaware has a very low employment level for sonographers. There were only 120 sonographers employed in DE in 2012. Despite the low levels of employment, annual salary in DE was only slightly lower than NJ at $66,740.
Maryland had 1,140 sonographers employed by May 2012. They had higher salary at $72,790 annually, with an hourly rate of $34.99. There are complete details on salary by state through the link.
Sonography Salary in NJ Cities
The NJ-NY metropolitan area of New York-White Plains-Wayne was actually the metropolitan area with the highest employment in the same year, with 2,380 sonographers earning $65,770 yearly. Out of all the main cities in NJ, this metropolitan area has the only significant values in terms of employment and salary. Other cities in NJ have more or less the same sonogram technician salary as the state average.
Increasing Your Salary in NJ
Throughout the US, the starting pay scale of a sonographer is around $25 to $30 per hour. However, these values are only for general sonographers. The annual salary of sonographers with specializations is much higher, especially cardiovascular sonographers who are the highest paid sonographers. Cardiovascular sonographers can earn as much as $80,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on the industry they work in. Experience and education (Find a local sonography school) are the factors that can most affect ultrasound technician salary in New Jersey.