For anyone considering a career in diagnostic medical sonography, the combination of high employment and excellent ultrasound technician salary in New York makes it a genuinely attractive place to work.
Trained sonographers are key components of the modern medical team and can be commonly found in most hospital emergency rooms, health clinics and physician’s surgeries. Because of the relative safety of ultrasound investigations, it is one of the most widely preferred diagnostic tools.
Due to strong demand, there is a marked shortage of diagnostic medical sonographers in the New York area to fill available job vacancies. This means that the typical ultrasound technician salary in New York is often significantly higher than the National average. According to current data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, some New York sonographers can earn well over $90,000.
Together with some really world-class healthcare facilities, New York is noted as being one of the most vibrant places within the United States. In terms of jobs, New York boasts the third highest level of ultrasound technician employment in the country. In fact, there are currently 3,760 ultrasound techs employed plus an increasing number of self-employed and freelance diagnostic medical sonographers.
The Factors Affecting Ultrasound Technician Salary In New York
In line with most professions, there are a range of factors which will ultimately impact on the ultrasound technician salary in New York for any sonographer. These are:
- Workplace Type. Although there are many different job classes for sonographers, some positions come with a considerably larger ultrasound technician salary in New York than others. As a general rule, those working in research within universities and colleges can earn the highest average salaries of around $72,570. The second highest paying employment sector is in outpatient care clinics with typical annual incomes of $70,440. Sonographers employed within specialty healthcare centers also earn a well above average ultrasound technician salary in New York of approximately $68,390.
- Practical Experience. As with most professions, greater experience usually leads to greater income. Experienced ultrasound technicians are virtually always able to command a greater ultrasound technician salary in New York than those just starting out.
- Specializations. By focusing in on one particular specialty (such as gynecology or obstetrics) and becoming highly expert, a sonographer will greatly enhance their earning potential and job prospects.
- Geographical Location. The average ultrasound technician salary in New York varies enormously depending on which geographical region an ultrasound technician works in. Looking at the extremes, sonographers working in the Poughkeepsie and Middletown districts can average $70,040 a year, whilst colleagues employed in the non-metropolitan South West New York area have typical salaries of $51,740. This represents a location based difference of 26% for ultrasound technicians doing similar jobs.
- Management Expertise. It comes as no great surprise that the greatest ultrasound technician salary in New York of $73,040 is earned by diagnostic medical sonographers who are involved in management and executive roles.
- Level Of Qualifications. Holders of bachelors and associate degrees tend to consistently enjoy a better ultrasound technician salary in New York than ultrasound techs who have diploma and certificate level qualifications.
Average Ultrasound Technician Salary In New York By Region
Within New York, there are some huge differences in sonographer pay depending on location. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows an average ultrasound technician salary in New York of $65,320 for 2011, this can be a little misleading.
In some districts, ultrasound technicians can enjoy salaries in excess of $90,000 whilst in more suburban areas salaries can be in the region of $50,000. As a result, there is a significant variation in the average ultrasound technician salary in New York:
- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY – $67,340
- Binghamton, NY – $66,650
- Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY – $58,460
- Glens Falls, NY – $68,890
- Nassau-Suffolk, NY Metropolitan Division – $67,560
- New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island – $66,700
- New York-White Plains-Wayne – $66,110
- NY-NJ Metropolitan Division – $66,110
- Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown, NY – $70,040
- Rochester, NY – $63,950
- Syracuse, NY – $65,570
- Utica-Rome, NY – $65,260
- Capital-Northern New York (non-metro) – $64,290
- Central New York (non-metro) – $65,490
- Southwest New York (non-metro) – $51,740
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics survey for ultrasound technician salary in New York 2011
With an excellent range of jobs possibilities available ranging from physician’s surgeries to healthcare institutions, a career as an ultrasound technician is a smart choice – even in the current economy. Better still, the higher ultrasound technician salary in New York makes it the perfect place to find a job.