Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $87,476 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $87,476/year (≈ $42.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $93,457 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for ultrasound technologists stands at $87,476 for 2026, reflecting a competitive position in the healthcare market. While the local pay figures indicate a salary range from $59,410 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $120,963 for the highest earners (90th percentile), it's important to consider the broader context of the job market. With only nine ultrasound technologists currently employed in this area, it's clear that the profession has limited saturation, thus creating opportunities for those entering the field. These salary estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, highlighting the unique economic landscape of Chapel Hill, where demand for qualified professionals is often met with promising compensation.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,679 | $33.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,476 | $42.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,173 | $46.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,963 | $58.15 |
Median Salary Position
13.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,553 (2026 est.). At $87,476, the local median is 13.69% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $87,476/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,651 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -13.69% less |
Ultrasound Technologists in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $87,476 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.69% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.20% below the North Carolina state average of $87,651.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A ultrasound technologist earning $87,476 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,457 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,145
2025 BLS Actual
$83,366
2026 Current Est.
$87,476
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,145 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,526 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,097 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,212 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,905 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,882 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,366 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,476 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,789 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 30.0% from $64,145 (2019) to $83,366 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,789 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,644 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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) | $59,410 – $70,679 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,679 – $87,476 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,476 – $96,173 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,173 – $120,963 |
Ultrasound Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ultrasound technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Ultrasound Technologist Job Market in Chapel Hill
When evaluating ultrasound technologist pay in Chapel Hill, NC, one must consider the cost of living index of 93.6, which suggests relatively lower living expenses compared to the national average. This factor enhances the take-home pay for local professionals as it allows for greater purchasing power. In terms of salary variation, large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics tend to offer higher wages due to their ability to provide shift differentials and benefits structures that attract well-qualified staff. Employers are also known to pay more to those with advanced specialty credentials, which can further influence earning potential. To maximize earnings in this specific market, ultrasound technologists should consider pursuing additional certifications and seeking employment within larger healthcare systems that typically provide a more competitive compensation package.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
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 $83,366 for ultrasound technologistsin the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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