How to Become a Sonography Technician in Kentucky (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Kentucky employs about 940 sonography technicians earning a median $91,230 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 Kentucky

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
162.8Contact school for pricing$40,85467%Yes*104 mi
260.4Contact school for pricing$56,39950%Yes*123 mi
Sponsored Ad
356.6Contact school for pricing$32,88082%—35 mi
455.0$4,728 - $14,212$43,58454%Yes*30 mi
Sponsored Ad
551.0Contact school for pricing$48,181Not reportedYes*49 mi
650.7Contact school for pricing$59,23518%Yes*106 mi
Sponsored Ad
748.9$4,728 - $12,520$45,68347%Yes*123 mi
846.8Contact school for pricing$47,65526%Yes*116 mi
Sponsored Ad
946.1Contact school for pricing$52,96663%—45 mi
1045.9Contact school for pricingNot reportedNot reportedYes*143 mi
Sponsored Ad

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.

Kentucky employs approximately 940 sonography technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $91,230 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 Kentucky, 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 (Kentucky): $91,230 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Sonography Technician in Kentucky

How to become a Sonography Technician in Kentucky? 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 Kentucky? Yes. Kentucky typically registers this role through the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

What do sonography technicians earn in Kentucky? The median annual wage for sonography technicians in Kentucky is $91,230 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $62,440 and experienced professionals can earn $115,390 or more 1.

How to Become a Sonography Technician in Kentucky

  1. Meet program entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED and science prerequisites.
  2. Complete a CAAHEP-accredited sonography program. Finish a diagnostic medical sonography program in Kentucky. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. Earn ARDMS or CCI. Pass ARDMS or CCI specialty exams employers expect.
  4. 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 Kentucky

Sonographers typically complete a CAAHEP-accredited program and earn ARDMS or CCI. Some states add licensure.

Typical path

  1. Complete a CAAHEP-accredited program.

  2. Earn ARDMS or CCI.

  3. Apply for state licensure if Kentucky 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 Kentucky

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), diagnostic medical sonographers wages in Kentucky vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Cincinnati540$84,950$89,410$72,090$106,730
Louisville/Jefferson County370$97,700$97,460$71,530$123,160
Huntington-Ashland160$78,830$81,400$67,500$100,690
Lexington-Fayette120$83,930$86,000$46,670$105,390
Bowling Green40$90,310$86,360$61,410$114,950
Paducah30$80,480$84,100$48,400$114,920

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 Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 940 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 Kentucky with an out-of-state license? Contact the program and employer for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Kentucky? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Kentucky.

How much do sonography technicians earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for sonography technicians in Kentucky is $91,230, which is $1,890 above the national median of $89,340 according to BLS data 1.

In Kentucky

Top local programs

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)