Ultrasound Tech Pay

Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Opelika, AL: $70,912 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in Opelika, AL earns a median $70,912/year (≈ $34.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Opelika's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $80,673 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Alabama state average.

$70,912
Median Annual Salary
$34.09/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$53,946
Entry Level (P10)
$93,201
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Opelika, AL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Opelika, AL ultrasound technologist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Opelika presents a unique context for ultrasound technologist salaries, with approximately seven professionals currently employed in the field. In 2026, those in this occupation can expect a median annual salary of $70,912, which reflects local market conditions and regional cost adjustments. The salary spectrum ranges from $53,946 at the 10th percentile to $93,201 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential based on experience and specialty. These figures are significant compared to the national median of $101,352 for the same year, suggesting that while the local market may be competitive, it is also characterized by a slightly lower compensation scale in the realm of ultrasound technologist pay in Opelika, AL.

About the Opelika Market

Salary estimated from Alabama average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$53,946$25.94
Lower Range (P25)$61,402$29.52
Median (P50)(typical)$70,912$34.09
Upper Range (P75)$78,439$37.71
Top Earners (P90)$93,201$44.81

Median Salary Position

$53,946$101,352
City Median: $70,912
National: $101,352
P10–P90 Range

30.03% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Opelika

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for ultrasound technologists in Opelika. The median salary is $70,912, compared to the national median of $101,352.$48.6K$63.0K$77.5K$92.0K$106.4K$53.9K10th Pctl$61.4K25th Pctl$70.9KMedian$78.4K75th Pctl$93.2K90th PctlUS Median$101.4K

In Opelika, AL, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,255 (2026 est.). At $70,912, the local median is 30.03% below the national median of $101,352.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,364
per week
$5,909
per month
$70,911
per year

At 40 hours/week in Opelika: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Opelika Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares

Opelika median: $70,912/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryOpelika Pays
Alabama Average$71,412-0.70% less
National Average$101,352-30.03% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing ultrasound technologist median salary in Opelika ($70,912) with Alabama average ($71,412) and the US national median ($101,352).Opelika$70,912Alabama Avg$71,412-0.70%US National$101,352-30.03%

Ultrasound Technologists in Opelika, AL earn a median of $70,912 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.03% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.70% below the Alabama state average of $71,412.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$70,912
Nominal Salary
87.9
CoL Index
$80,673
Adjusted Salary

Opelika has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $70,912. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 87.9, the purchasing-power equivalent is $80,673, a gain of $9,761.$60.3K$74.3K$88.4K$102.5K$116.6K$70,912NominalSalary$80,673CoL Adjusted(CoL: 87.9) 13.76%US Median $101.4K

Opelika, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A ultrasound technologist earning $70,912 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,673 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.76% boost.

Compare Purchasing Power

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2019 BLS Actual

$51,999

2025 BLS Actual

$67,580

2026 Current Est.

$70,912

2019–2027 Growth

+43.1%

Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Opelika (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 Opelika. Baseline $51,999 in 2025, projected to $74,408 by 2027.$47.5K$55.4K$63.2K$71.0K$78.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$52.0K$53.1K$54.4K$56.9K$59.1K$57.7K$67.6K$70.9K$74.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$51,999Actual
2020$53,118Actual
2021$54,391Actual
2022$56,917Actual
2023$59,100Actual
2024$57,731Actual
2025$67,580Actual
2026(current)$70,912Estimated
2027$74,408Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Opelika metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 30.0% from $51,999 (2019) to $67,580 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,408 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,409 (43.10%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Opelika 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$53,946$61,402
3-5 years (Mid Career)$61,402$70,912
5+ years (Experienced)$70,912$78,439
10+ years (Top Earner)$78,439$93,201

Ultrasound Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ultrasound technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Ultrasound Technologist Job Market in Opelika

The local job market for ultrasound technologists in Opelika is stable, with a workforce that keeps the industry relatively unsaturated. A cost-of-living index of 87.9 indicates that expenses in this area are below the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of medical imaging professionals here. Typically, larger healthcare organizations or specialty clinics in Opelika tend to offer higher salaries, especially for those holding additional credentials or certifications. Differences in pay can also be attributed to factors such as shift differentials and benefits packages. To maximize pay potential, ultrasound technologists should consider pursuing advanced certifications, networking with local employers, and being open to varied work hours, which can lead to higher hourly wages and greater annual earnings in this specific market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do ultrasound technologists make in Opelika, AL in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median ultrasound technologist salary in Opelika is $70,912/year ($34.09/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.93% annual growth). Salaries range from $53,946 at entry level (10th percentile) to $93,201 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Opelika at 30.0% below the national median. Full-time ultrasound technologists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Opelika, AL a good place to work as a ultrasound technologist?

Opelika ultrasound technologist salaries are 30.0% below the national average and 0.7% below the Alabama state average. The metro area employs approximately 7 ultrasound technologists. With a cost-of-living index of 87.9, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can ultrasound technologists make $100K in Opelika?

The median ultrasound technologist salary in Opelika is $70,912, and the 90th percentile earns $93,201. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted ultrasound technologist salary in Opelika?

After adjusting for Opelika's cost-of-living index of 87.9 (where 100 equals the national average), the $70,912 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $80,673 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 13.8% further in Opelika compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for ultrasound technologists seeking strong real wages.

How much does a ultrasound technologist make per hour in Opelika?

Ultrasound Technologists in Opelika earn a median hourly rate of $34.09, which translates to approximately $70,912/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $25.94 for entry-level positions to $44.81 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem ultrasound technologists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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

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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $67,580 for ultrasound technologistsin the Opelika metropolitan area. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Opelika is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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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