A career as a travel ultrasound tech, also known as a diagnostic medical sonographer, offers exceptional earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment is projected to grow 13% from 2024 to 2034. This rapid growth, combined with ongoing facility staffing shortages, creates a highly favorable landscape for travel ultrasound techs looking to maximize their pay.

At Nomad Health, ultrasound tech jobs are consistently among our most popular allied health roles needing to be filled by facilities. To help you navigate this expanding field, we’ve compiled this guide covering current salary trends and the core factors that influence your pay. Whether you want to learn the latest industry benchmarks or find the best pay rate on your next contract, Nomad is here to help.

Average pay for travel ultrasound tech

The average salary or total compensation for travel ultrasound techs at Nomad Health is $2,600 per week, including stipends. Compared to staff ultrasound techs who earn an average median pay of around $1,950, becoming a traveler is a great way to increase ultrasound tech salary. Here are the pay averages and ranges for travel ultrasound techs at Nomad Health as of September 2, 2023:

• Average Weekly Gross Range: $2,400 to $3,500+ (compared to $1,600 to $2,300 for staff ultrasound techs)
• Average Hourly Rate: $66
• Highest Hourly Rate: $115

Note: Keep in mind that travel ultrasound tech salaries can always increase or decrease depending on dynamic factors like the ones mentioned below.

Highest paying states for travel ultrasound techs

When looking to maximize your earning potential as a travel ultrasound tech, geographical location is one of the most important factors to consider. While pay fluctuates based on facility needs, specialty, and seasonal demand, certain states are currently leading the market. Based on recent job board data, here are three of the highest-paying states for travel sonographers:

1. California: Known for highly competitive compensation packages, California consistently ranks at the top for travel allied health pay. Driven by a massive healthcare infrastructure and high demand, specialized roles, such as pediatric echocardiography in Los Angeles, can yield weekly rates of $3,280 or more.
2. Washington: With a thriving healthcare sector in the Pacific Northwest, Washington frequently matches top-tier pay rates. Facilities in cities like Kirkland are offering premium contracts for specialties like OB/GYN sonography, with weekly compensation also reaching up to $3,280.
3. Illinois: The Midwest continues to show strong demand for imaging professionals, with Illinois emerging as a highly lucrative destination. High-demand specialties, like adult echocardiography in cities such as Macomb, offer highly competitive contracts exceeding $3,080 per week to help bridge staffing gaps.

What is included in travel ultrasound tech pay?

Travel ultrasound tech compensation looks different from a traditional staff role. Instead of a single hourly wage, travel pay is typically presented as a total weekly gross amount. This "blended rate" is made up of taxable base pay, tax-free stipends, and additional benefits:

• Taxable Base Pay: This is the standard hourly wage you earn for clinical work, subject to standard income taxes. The facility determines your rate based on your specialty, experience, and the assignment's demands.

• Non-Taxable Stipends: These are tax-free allowances designed to cover living expenses while working away from your permanent "tax home." At Nomad Health, this generally includes:
  • Housing Stipends: An allowance to help cover temporary lodging, such as a short-term apartment or extended-stay hotel.
  • Meals and Incidentals (M&I): An allowance for daily groceries, dining out, and other basic living expenses.

• Additional Reimbursements & Benefits:Comprehensive pay packages at Nomad include up to $750 in travel reimbursement to help you reach your new facility, plus reimbursements for licenses, certifications, and scrubs. You also get access to Day-1 medical, dental, and vision insurance, and a 401(k) with employer matching.

What influences travel ultrasound tech pay

Understanding your total compensation as a travel ultrasound tech means looking beyond just the base hourly rate. In reality, your true earning potential and actual take-home pay are shaped by a combination of several dynamic factors:

• Location and Cost of Living: Geography plays a massive role in your paycheck. While some states like California offer the highest gross salaries, the high cost of living can quickly eat into those gains. Sometimes, taking a slightly lower rate in a state with a low cost of living allows you to keep a much larger slice of your earnings.
• Specialization and Experience: Facilities need travelers who can hit the ground running. The more relevant clinical experience you have, the higher your earning potential. Furthermore, niche specialties, such as cardiovascular (echocardiography), vascular, or high-risk obstetrics, are highly marketable and usually command higher rates than general sonography.
• Education and Certifications: Earning your degree in diagnostic medical sonography and maintaining active professional certifications, such as those from the ARDMS or ARRT, are essential for securing competitive pay and unlocking more career opportunities.
• Facility Demand and Type: When healthcare facilities experience ultrasound tech shortages, they often increase pay rates to fill those gaps quickly. Additionally, facility budgets vary; large Magnet hospitals or teaching facilities may offer different compensation packages than smaller community clinics.
• Time of Year: Healthcare demand fluctuates with the seasons. During times of high patient volume (such as the winter respiratory season), facilities frequently offer higher rates or needs-based bonuses to attract travelers.
• Stipends: Tax-free stipends for housing and meals are the "secret sauce" of a traveler's paycheck. Because these allowances are non-taxable, a travel sonographer often takes home significantly more net income than a staff tech earning a higher gross hourly wage.