Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Raleigh, NC: $90,376 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in Raleigh, NC earns a median $90,376/year (≈ $43.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $92,073 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the ultrasound technologist salary in Raleigh, NC, is projected to reach a median of $90,376, distinctly lower than the national median of $101,352. The salary varies substantially within the local market, ranging from $76,494 at the 10th percentile to as high as $114,772 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys based on 2025 data, projected to 2026. For professionals in this field, the compensation reflects not only the local demand for skilled technologists but also influences the overall healthcare employment landscape in Raleigh.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,494 | $36.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,199 | $40.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,376 | $43.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,496 | $49.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,772 | $55.18 |
Median Salary Position
10.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,278 (2026 est.). At $90,376, the local median is 10.83% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $90,376/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,659 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | -10.83% less |
Ultrasound Technologists in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $90,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.83% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 3.10% above the North Carolina state average of $87,659.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A ultrasound technologist earning $90,376 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,073 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$67,850
2025 BLS Actual
$86,130
2026 Current Est.
$90,376
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,376 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 26.9% from $67,850 (2019) to $86,130 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,982 (39.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $76,494 – $83,199 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,199 – $90,376 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,376 – $102,496 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,496 – $114,772 |
Ultrasound Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ultrasound technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Ultrasound Technologist Job Market in Raleigh
With 430 ultrasound technologists employed in the area, Raleigh's job market remains competitive, benefiting from a cost of living index of 98.157, which is slightly below the national average. This favorable cost structure enhances the purchasing power of local salaries, even though the median pay may lag behind national figures. Employers in larger healthcare systems or specialty clinics often offer higher compensation, reflecting their capability to support advanced credentialing and shift differentials. To maximize earnings in Raleigh, ultrasound technologists should consider seeking positions with larger organizations known for their benefits structures and training opportunities, while also aiming to obtain specialized credentials that can command higher wages.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ultrasound technologists make in Raleigh, NC in 2026?
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a ultrasound technologist?
Can ultrasound technologists make $100K in Raleigh?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted ultrasound technologist salary in Raleigh?
How much does a ultrasound technologist make per hour in Raleigh?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $86,130 for ultrasound technologistsin the Raleigh 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