Ultrasound Tech Pay

Entry-Level Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Mobile, AL: $64,952 (2026)

Quick Answer:New ultrasound technologists entering the Mobile, AL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,952 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2032, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mobile's local price level (BEA RPP 88.112% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,727 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($71,447) within a few years of clinical practice.

$64,952
Starting Salary
$31.23/hr
Starting Hourly
$64,952
Entry Level
$71,447
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

Ultrasound Technologist Entry Level Salary in Mobile, AL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Mobile, AL ultrasound technologist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Graduates entering the field of ultrasound technology in Mobile, Alabama, can expect a starting salary that begins around $64,952. This entry-level pay is just under the city’s overall median annual salary of $71,447, indicating a gap of approximately $6,495 for new technologists. Over the course of the first three to five years, entry-level professionals can anticipate gradual salary growth from the initial figure through the 25th percentile at $65,896, ultimately reaching the median. With a projected growth rate of 4.93% annually and favorable local job prospects, Mobile presents a sound market for new graduates.

Career Earnings Timeline in Mobile

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$64,952/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$65,896/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$71,447/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$82,181/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mobile

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for ultrasound technologists in Mobile. The median salary is $71,447, compared to the national median of $101,352.$58.5K$70.4K$82.4K$94.4K$106.4K$65.0K10th Pctl$65.9K25th Pctl$71.4KMedian$82.2K75th Pctl$84.1K90th PctlUS Median$101.4K

Entry-level ultrasound technologists in Mobile, AL typically start between $64,952 and $65,896 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $19,170 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $71,44729.51% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of ultrasound technologist pay in the Mobile metro area.

Return on Investment

$18,000
Avg AL Program Cost
$64,952
Starting Salary
27.71%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average medical imaging program cost in Alabama of $18,000 represents just 27.71% of the starting ultrasound technologist pay ($64,952/year) in Mobile. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.

Program cost estimates based on accredited program data and state workforce commission reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type.

Ultrasound Tech Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Mobile

  • 1Research the Mobile market: entry-level ultrasound technologist pay ranges from $64,952 to $65,896, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
  • 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical imaging field — employers in AL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Mobile, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
  • 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Mobile for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Mobile's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.

Ultrasound Technologist Compensation Range

The ultrasound technologist wage spread in Mobile is $19,170 ( 29.51%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,952, experienced hygienists can earn up to $84,122.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$29,710

2025 BLS Actual

$61,900

2026 Current Est.

$64,952

2019–2027 Growth

+129.4%

Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Mobile (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for ultrasound technologists in Mobile. Baseline $29,710 in 2025, projected to $68,154 by 2027.$21.8K$35.3K$48.9K$62.4K$75.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$29.7K$29.6K$37.4K$36.0K$33.3K$39.8K$61.9K$65.0K$68.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$29,710Actual
2020$29,560Actual
2021$37,360Actual
2022$36,020Actual
2023$33,260Actual
2024$39,790Actual
2025$61,900Actual
2026(current)$64,952Estimated
2027$68,154Projected

Entry-level ultrasound technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Mobile, AL grew 108.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,710 in 2019 to $61,900 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,154. New graduates entering the Mobile job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mobile metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.93% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Starting Your medical imaging Career in Mobile

In Mobile, many hospitals and corporate group practices are the primary employers looking to hire newly graduated ultrasound technologists. These institutions often provide structured onboarding programs designed to support recent graduates as they transition into the workforce. To enhance earning potential in Alabama, it is crucial to obtain state licensure and consider pursuing advanced certifications recognized by the national professional body. In the first few years, new graduates may see substantial variability in compensation, largely depending on the employer type and the mix of credentials they bring to the table. Realistically, salary growth within those initial years can reflect regional market conditions, enabling new professionals to build their skills and gradually increase their pay as they gain experience in their roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for ultrasound technologists in Mobile in 2026?

Entry-level ultrasound technologists in Mobile start at approximately $64,952/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.93% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $31.23/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do ultrasound technologist salaries grow in Mobile?

Most ultrasound technologists in Mobile progress from the entry-level salary of $64,952 to the area median of $71,447 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $84,122 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is medical imaging school worth it in Mobile?

With a starting salary of $64,952/year in Mobile and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for an associate's degree (2–3 years), graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new ultrasound technologists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new ultrasound technologists make right out of school in Mobile?

New medical imaging graduates in Mobile typically start near the 10th percentile at $64,952/year, or approximately $31.23/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a ultrasound technologist in Alabama?

To become a licensed ultrasound technologist in Alabama, you typically need an associate's degree in diagnostic medical sonography from a caahep-accredited program (typically 2 years), plus ardms certification (rdms, rdcs, or rvt depending on specialty). from an accredited program (typically 2–3 years), then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Alabama, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some ultrasound technologists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Alabama

RP

Written by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT

Career Analyst

Ravi has 10 years of experience as an ultrasound technologist. He specializes in abdominal and pelvic imaging. He works in a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, RDMS, RTData verified by James Kim, RDCS, RVT

Methodology & Data Source

Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical imaging graduates. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Mobile. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.93%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for ultrasound technologists (SOC 29-2032).

Compiled and verified by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT, a licensed ultrasound technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov

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