Entry-Level Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $73,482 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ultrasound technologists entering the Salt Lake City, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,482 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2032, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Salt Lake City's local price level (BEA RPP 100.9 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $72,850 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($96,452) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those entering the ultrasound field in Salt Lake City, the starting ultrasound technologist salary is projected at $73,482 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the city’s median salary of $96,452, highlighting the gap that new graduates can expect as they begin their careers. As entry-level technologists gain experience, they might see incremental salary increases, with the potential to earn around $81,751 at the 25th percentile and gradually approach the median as they progress in their first few years. With a projected growth rate of 4.93%, Salt Lake City presents itself as a favorable market for recent graduates seeking opportunities in ultrasound technology, particularly considering the ongoing demand for skilled professionals in the area.
Career Earnings Timeline in Salt Lake City
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
Entry-level ultrasound technologists in Salt Lake City, UT typically start between $73,482 and $81,751 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $45,372 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $96,452 — 4.83% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical imaging program cost in Utah of $24,000 represents just 32.66% of the starting ultrasound technologist pay ($73,482/year) in Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City
- 1Research the Salt Lake City market: entry-level ultrasound technologist pay ranges from $73,482 to $81,751, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Salt Lake City, 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 Salt Lake City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Salt Lake City's moderate 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 Salt Lake City is $45,372 ( 61.75%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,482, experienced hygienists can earn up to $118,854.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,180
2025 BLS Actual
$70,030
2026 Current Est.
$73,482
2019–2027 Growth
+113.1%
Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,482 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,105 | Projected |
Entry-level ultrasound technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Salt Lake City, UT grew 93.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,180 in 2019 to $70,030 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,105. New graduates entering the Salt Lake City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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 Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, numerous large hospital systems and corporate group practices actively recruit newly licensed ultrasound technologists. These employers often have structured onboarding programs that help new graduates ease into their roles and foster professional development. To enhance earning potential, obtaining state licensure is essential, along with pursuing optional advanced certifications recognized nationally within the field. Within the initial years, entry-level technologists can realistically expect salary growth as they diversify their skills and experience. Compensation may vary significantly depending on the nature of the employing organization and the specific credentials the technologist holds, with opportunities for new grads to reach salary levels that approach or exceed the 75th percentile as they gain expertise and tenure in the profession.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is medical imaging school worth it in Salt Lake City?
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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.
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 Salt Lake City. 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