How to Become a Sonography Technician in California (2026)
California employs about 10,110 sonography technicians earning a median $128,530 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Sonography Technician here means completing a CAAHEP-accredited diagnostic medical sonography program plus ARDMS or CCI. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
Compare Sonography Technician Schools in California
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Healthcare Career College | 72.7 | Contact school for pricing | $37,765 | Not reported | Yes* | 132 mi |
| 2 | Casa Loma College-Los Angeles | 69.4 | Contact school for pricing | $72,581 | 69% | Yes* | 107 mi |
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| 3 | Central California School of Continuing Education | 68.8 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | — | 65 mi |
| 4 | Smith Chason College | 63.1 | $19,040 - $39,461 | $65,533 | 64% | — | 120 mi |
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| 5 | CBD College | 58.4 | Contact school for pricing | $54,889 | 72% | Yes* | 120 mi |
| 6 | Integrity College of Health | 55.4 | Contact school for pricing | $56,250 | 64% | Yes* | 118 mi |
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| 7 | Platt College-Los Angeles | 54.3 | $14,922 - $32,164 | $44,565 | 63% | Yes* | 122 mi |
| 8 | ATI College-Whittier | 49.9 | Contact school for pricing | $41,595 | Not reported | — | 134 mi |
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| 9 | National Polytechnic College | 43.3 | Contact school for pricing | $42,752 | Not reported | — | 134 mi |
| 10 | San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield | 39.0 | Contact school for pricing | $42,211 | 52% | — | 26 mi |
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
California employs approximately 10,110 sonography technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $128,530 1. Nationally, sonography technician employment is projected to grow 13.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 5,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Sonography Technician in California, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: CAAHEP-accredited sonography program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a CAAHEP-accredited diagnostic medical sonography program plus ARDMS or CCI
- Exam: ARDMS or CCI
- Median wage (California): $128,530 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Sonography Technician in California
How to become a Sonography Technician in California? Complete a CAAHEP-accredited diagnostic medical sonography program plus ARDMS or CCI. Apply through the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish a CAAHEP-accredited diagnostic medical sonography program plus ARDMS or CCI. Confirm current hour totals with the program and the program and employer.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California typically registers this role through the program and employer. See the licensing section below.
What do sonography technicians earn in California? The median annual wage for sonography technicians in California is $128,530 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $62,890 and experienced professionals can earn $177,780 or more 1.
How to Become a Sonography Technician in California
- Meet program entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED and science prerequisites.
- Complete a CAAHEP-accredited sonography program. Finish a diagnostic medical sonography program in California. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Earn ARDMS or CCI. Pass ARDMS or CCI specialty exams employers expect.
- Confirm state licensure. Some states license sonographers. Confirm with the program and employer.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Sonography Technician License Requirements in California
Sonographers typically complete a CAAHEP-accredited program and earn ARDMS or CCI. Some states add licensure.
Typical path
Complete a CAAHEP-accredited program.
Earn ARDMS or CCI.
Apply for state licensure if California requires it.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Sonography Technician Wages by Metro Area in California
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), diagnostic medical sonographers wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 3,550 | $119,430 | $114,640 | $57,180 | $168,360 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 1,300 | $160,270 | $151,740 | $94,600 | $204,140 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 960 | $105,860 | $110,490 | $61,300 | $150,620 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 720 | $129,630 | $122,960 | $65,290 | $168,060 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 610 | $163,220 | $151,900 | $102,130 | $188,300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 500 | $173,150 | $166,230 | $100,130 | $213,010 |
| Fresno | 390 | $107,750 | $115,390 | $77,160 | $163,890 |
| Modesto | 200 | $141,210 | $138,590 | $80,400 | $177,780 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 180 | $108,990 | $111,260 | $69,040 | $154,150 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 140 | $125,750 | $120,530 | $52,510 | $166,290 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 140 | $130,210 | $130,640 | $83,070 | $178,730 |
| Vallejo | 140 | $171,170 | $158,930 | $67,360 | $205,490 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 100 | $132,490 | $129,680 | $97,520 | $161,410 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 90 | $161,570 | $152,780 | $103,280 | $206,220 |
| Visalia | 90 | $99,010 | $100,320 | $77,000 | $126,990 |
| Chico | 80 | $123,880 | $124,210 | $93,980 | $151,360 |
| Redding | 40 | $133,340 | $128,100 | $76,840 | $170,150 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 40 | $125,090 | $109,060 | $64,500 | $152,490 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 40 | $142,150 | $138,150 | $87,190 | $175,320 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for sonography technicians in California? California currently employs approximately 10,110 sonography technicians 1. Nationally, sonography technician employment is projected to grow 13.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a sonography technician in California with an out-of-state license? Contact the program and employer for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in California.
How much do sonography technicians earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for sonography technicians in California is $128,530, which is $39,190 above the national median of $89,340 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |