The term “Bay Area” refers to the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California. The US Census includes San Francisco, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Solano, Napa, and Sonoma counties. Ultrasound technicians have the option of working in a large city like San Francisco or in a more rural area like Napa County. California has been a leader in implementing the national health care program, offering tremendous opportunities for future growth in sonographer positions.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Education in the Bay Area

Some of the best ultrasound tech schools in or near the Bay Area (BA) are in Richmond, which is 17 miles from San Francisco, and Los Altos Hills, which is 39 miles from San Francisco. These are the ideal places to start a search for programs because there are ultrasound schools accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) in the cities. Accreditation status is an important indication of quality content that prepares students, after completing the training requirements for a sonography diploma or sonography certificate, to take the ARDMS exams and become certified. Every school has a financial aid office that can help students find ultrasound scholarships.

The BA has a driving student population. There are more than 110,000 students attending colleges in Bay Area counties, and enrollment is likely to continue to grow after 2014.

Salary and Job Outlook for Sonographers in the Bay Area

The San Francisco Bay Area is large, incorporating 9 counties and several cities including Santa Rosa, San Francisco, and San Jose. The entire BA pays excellent annual salaries, and several of the Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and divisions are listed as the highest paying areas as of May 2013 according to the Bureau of Labor.

Average salaries are similar by MSA. For example, the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA MSA has a median annual salary of $97,090 or $46.68 per hour for diagnostic medical sonographers. The highest paying area in BA is the San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA MSA with average annual wages of $111,700 or $53.70 per hour. All average salaries for sonographers in the Bay Area are close to or above $100,000 or $48.08 per hour.

Projected job growth by county for the 2010-2020 period for sonographers is also excellent, ranging from 27 to 50 percent according to the May 2013 federal occupational survey. Sonographers can expect to find ultrasound jobs in a variety of industries. healthcare settings.

A list of ultrasound technical schools in or near the Bay Area in 2014

School Name: Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences

Address: 938 Marina Way South

Zipper: 94804

City: Richmond

Contact Person: Dorsey Ballow

Contact phone: (510) 231-5083

Program: Certificate and Bachelor

Accreditation: Accredited by CAAHEP and recognized by ARRT

School Name: Community Regional Medical Center

Address: Fresno Street 2823

Zipper: 93721

City: Fresno

Contact Person: Joy Guthrie

Contact phone: (559) 459-2731

Program: Certificate

Accreditation: CAAHEP

School Name: Foothill College

Address: Calle El Monte 12345

Zipper: 94022

City: Los Altos Hills

Contact Person: Kathleen Austin

Contact phone: (650) 949-7304

Program Certificate and Associate Degree

Accreditation: CAAHEP

School Name: Merced College

Address: Calle 3600 M., Stop 37

Zipper: 95348

City: Merced

Contact person: Cheryl Zelinksky

Contact phone: (209) 384-6170

Program: Certificate

Accreditation: CAAHEP