Ultrasound Technologist Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $43.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ultrasound technologist working in Iowa City, IA runs $43.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,226 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,738 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Iowa City, ultrasound technologists earn a median hourly rate of $43.86, which is lower than the national median of $48.73. This rate reflects the financial expectations for professionals working part-time or in per-diem roles, typically found in clinical settings such as hospitals and outpatient centers. With an hourly distribution ranging from $36.57 for entry-level positions to $54.78 for the most experienced technologists, those who work three days a week can anticipate a competitive earning potential in line with their skills and experience. The data cited here comes from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, ensuring an up-to-date overview of the earning landscape for ultrasound technologists.
Ultrasound Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.57 | $292.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.57 | $292.54 |
| Median (P50) | $43.86 | $350.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.02 | $400.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.78 | $438.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $43.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.86/hr, a ultrasound technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $91,230 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,633. With a cost-of-living index of 91.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Iowa City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Iowa City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,754.43 | $7,603 | $91,230 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,052.66 | $4,562 | $54,738 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $701.77 | $3,041 | $36,492 |
Compare Ultrasound Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Ultrasound Technologist (Iowa City) | $43.86 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Ultrasound Technologists in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $91,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.99% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 4.90% above the Iowa state average of $86,965.
Ultrasound Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.86/hr = $54,738/year (purchasing power: $59,817).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,230/year (purchasing power: $99,695).
CoL index: 91.509 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ultrasound technologists in Iowa City grew 30.9% from $31.93/hr (2019) to $41.80/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.02/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem ultrasound technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Working as an Hourly Ultrasound Technologist in Iowa City
For those considering part-time opportunities, working three days a week, or 24 hours, means an annual income considerably less than that of full-time colleagues. Ultrasound technologists operating on a per-diem basis often command higher pay, with rates typically seeing a 10-25% premium over standard staff positions. This increase is supported by the urgent demand for staff in private practices, large healthcare organizations, community health centers, and specialty clinics throughout Iowa City. While some technologists may opt for lower hourly wages to gain health insurance benefits, others prefer the flexibility of agency work despite the associated lack of benefits. In negotiations, it’s advisable to highlight experience and any specialized credentials, as well as to consider the overall compensation package rather than just the hourly pay, particularly when comparing per diem ultrasound technologist pay in Iowa City with broader opportunities in the field.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for ultrasound technologists in Iowa City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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