Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Iowa City, IA: $91,226 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in Iowa City, IA earns a median $91,226/year (≈ $43.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $99,691 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Iowa City, the projected median annual salary for ultrasound technologists in 2026 is $91,226, which falls below the national median of $101,352, indicating a nearly 10% gap. The overall salary range is quite broad, spanning from $76,053 at the 10th percentile to $113,943 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variations in experience, employer, and specialization within the field. This information is derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projecting trends for the upcoming year. With the average pay for sonographers slightly behind the national standard, job seekers may find a competitive market for ultrasound technologist positions in local healthcare facilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,053 | $36.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,053 | $36.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,226 | $43.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,049 | $50.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,943 | $54.78 |
Median Salary Position
9.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,890 (2026 est.). At $91,226, the local median is 9.99% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Iowa City Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $91,226/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $86,965 | +4.90% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | -9.99% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City has a cost of living 8.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.509 (below the national average of 100). A ultrasound technologist earning $91,226 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,691 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,420
2025 BLS Actual
$86,940
2026 Current Est.
$91,226
2019–2027 Growth
+44.1%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,226 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,724 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 30.9% from $66,420 (2019) to $86,940 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,724 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,304 (44.12%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,053 – $76,053 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,053 – $91,226 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,226 – $104,049 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,049 – $113,943 |
Ultrasound Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ultrasound technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Ultrasound Technologist Job Market in Iowa City
In terms of employment opportunities, Iowa City hosts around 90 ultrasound technologists, supported by a cost-of-living index of 91.509, suggesting residents can enjoy a lower-than-average housing and lifestyle expense. Major employers include large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, often offering higher pay rates compared to smaller community health centers and private practices. The variation in salaries is largely influenced by factors such as shift differentials, additional certifications, and the organizational benefits structure. To increase earning potential within this specific market, technologists should consider pursuing advanced credentials or specialized training that are in high demand, as these qualifications can lead to more competitive salaries and enhanced job security.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can ultrasound technologists make $100K in Iowa 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
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 $86,940 for ultrasound technologistsin the Iowa City 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