Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Waukegan, IL: $101,661 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in Waukegan, IL earns a median $101,661/year (≈ $48.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Waukegan's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $104,697 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median salary of $101,661 for ultrasound technologists in Waukegan, Illinois, professionals in this field experience a relatively strong purchasing power, especially when contrasted against living costs in the area. The salary range spans from $69,565 at the 10th percentile to $141,229 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential for individuals based on experience and credentials. These figures represent estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price disparities. The local market appears to be fairly healthy, with opportunities for ongoing growth and competitive compensation compared to the national median of $101,352 for the profession in 2026.
About the Waukegan Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,565 | $33.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,531 | $39.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,661 | $48.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,159 | $53.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,229 | $67.90 |
Median Salary Position
0.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukegan
In Waukegan, IL, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,664 (2026 est.). At $101,661, the local median is 0.3% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukegan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukegan Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares
Waukegan median: $101,661/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukegan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $101,560 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +0.30% more |
Ultrasound Technologists in Waukegan, IL earn a median of $101,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.30% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $101,560.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukegan has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waukegan, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A ultrasound technologist earning $101,661 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,697 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,547
2025 BLS Actual
$96,885
2026 Current Est.
$101,661
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,547 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,152 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,977 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,598 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,728 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,682 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,885 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,661 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,673 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukegan metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 30.0% from $74,547 (2019) to $96,885 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,673 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,126 (43.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukegan 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) | $69,565 – $82,531 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,531 – $101,661 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,661 – $112,159 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,159 – $141,229 |
Ultrasound Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ultrasound technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Ultrasound Technologist Job Market in Waukegan
The employment landscape for ultrasound technologists in Waukegan features around 18 professionals currently working in the area, a figure that reflects a concentrated yet stable job market. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, which is slightly below the national average, suggesting that ultrasound technologist pay in Waukegan IL allows for decent take-home income relative to expenses. Among various employers, larger healthcare organizations tend to offer the highest salaries, likely benefiting from more extensive resources and a structured benefits package. The pay disparity in this job market is influenced by factors such as shift differentials, specialization, and employer size. To maximize earnings, professionals should consider enhancing their qualifications through specialized certifications and seeking positions within larger healthcare systems, which tend to have more flexible compensation structures.
More salary data for Waukegan, 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 $96,885 for ultrasound technologistsin the Waukegan 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 Waukegan is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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