Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Chicago, IL: $108,162 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in Chicago, IL earns a median $108,162/year (≈ $52.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $104,409 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for ultrasound technologists in 2026 is $108,162, which reflects a competitive edge over the national median of $101,352. With a salary range spanning from $86,735 at the lower end to $130,103 at the upper end, these figures illustrate the robust earning potential in the region. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, positions ultrasound technologist compensation in Chicago approximately 6.72% higher than the national average. For job seekers in this field, the strong salary prospects are complemented by a growing demand within the local healthcare market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,735 | $41.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,204 | $47.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,162 | $52.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,403 | $56.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,103 | $62.55 |
Median Salary Position
6.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,368 (2026 est.). At $108,162, the local median is 6.72% above the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares
Chicago median: $108,162/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $101,560 | +6.50% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +6.72% more |
Ultrasound Technologists in Chicago, IL earn a median of $108,162 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.72% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 6.50% above the Illinois state average of $101,560.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,162 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,409 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,120
2025 BLS Actual
$103,080
2026 Current Est.
$108,162
2019–2027 Growth
+43.4%
Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,162 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,494 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 30.3% from $79,120 (2019) to $103,080 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,494 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,374 (43.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $86,735 – $98,204 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,204 – $108,162 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,162 – $118,403 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,403 – $130,103 |
Ultrasound Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ultrasound technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Ultrasound Technologist Job Market in Chicago
Looking at the local context, Chicago employs approximately 2,280 ultrasound technologists, contributing to a solid job market buoyed by a cost-of-living index of 103.595, which is slightly above the national average. This index highlights the importance of understanding salary relative to living expenses when evaluating take-home purchasing power. Employers such as large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics often provide the highest pay, while community health centers and private practices typically offer more modest wages. The variance in salaries can be attributed to factors like shift differentials, specialty certifications, and benefits packages. For those aiming to enhance their ultrasound technologist pay in Chicago IL, pursuing advanced credentials and seeking positions in larger healthcare facilities may yield better financial outcomes.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
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
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 $103,080 for ultrasound technologistsin the Chicago 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
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