Diagnostic Sonographer in Florida: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Florida employs 6,670 diagnostic sonographers, with a statewide median of $82,940 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Florida licensing picture, and where to train.
What Diagnostic sonographers Earn in Florida (May 2025)
- Florida median pay
- $82,940 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $66,230
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $97,580
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $103,570
- Employed in Florida
- 6,670
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $84,470 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for diagnostic sonographers in major Florida markets:
- Jacksonville
- $84,470 (530 employed)
- Orlando
- $83,310 (930 employed)
- Tampa Bay
- $82,120 (1,090 employed)
- Fort Myers
- $80,790 (210 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Florida
Prices in Florida run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.4 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $82,940 median is worth closer to $80,213 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Florida (2026–2034)
Florida is projected to grow diagnostic sonographers employment +17.2%, faster than the +13.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 518 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Florida License and Certification Requirements
ARDMS RDMS (national certification — no FL state license) — regulated by the No Florida state license required for diagnostic sonographers.
- Florida does not require a state license for diagnostic medical sonographers. Graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited sonography program (typically a 2-year associate degree at a Florida community college or hospital-based program).
- Earn the ARDMS RDMS credential: pass the SPI exam and a specialty exam (Abdomen, OB/GYN, or Vascular). Virtually all Florida hospital systems and imaging centers require this credential.
- Large employers include HCA Florida (largest hospital operator in the state), AdventHealth, BayCare, and a large network of outpatient imaging and OB/GYN practices. Travel sonographer positions are plentiful given Florida's large elderly population and high healthcare demand.
Official requirements: No Florida state license required for diagnostic sonographers →
Training in Florida
Florida CAAHEP-accredited programs include Valencia College (Orlando), Hillsborough Community College (Tampa), and Broward College (Fort Lauderdale). Florida's large retiree population drives strong demand for cardiac, vascular, and abdominal ultrasound. OB/GYN volume is also substantial.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Florida include:
- ATA Career Education — Associate
- Advance Science International College — Associate
- AdventHealth University — Certificate / Associate / Bachelor's
- American Medical Academy — Certificate / Associate
Where Diagnostic sonographers Work in Florida
Real Florida hospitals that employ diagnostic sonographers include:
- Adventhealth Orlando — Orlando
- Jackson Memorial Hospital — Miami
- Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center — Orlando
- St Josephs Hospital — Tampa
- Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville — Jacksonville
- Northeast Florida State Hospital — Macclenny
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want high healthcare wages without a nursing or physician path, and who are detail-oriented and calm with patients.
Think twice if: You dislike repetitive positioning, sustained arm fatigue from holding probes, or working in darkened rooms.
Why it's resilient: Ultrasound imaging requires real-time clinical judgment, patient interaction, and probe technique that cannot be automated or outsourced.
First Steps
Find a CAAHEP-accredited diagnostic medical sonography program and check clinical placement rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic sonographers make in Florida?
The median wage for diagnostic sonographers in Florida is $82,940 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $66,230, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $103,570. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Diagnostic Sonographer in Florida?
ARDMS RDMS (national certification — no FL state license), overseen by the No Florida state license required for diagnostic sonographers. Florida does not require a state license for diagnostic medical sonographers. Graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited sonography program (typically a 2-year associate degree at a Florida community college or hospital-based program).
Is being a Diagnostic Sonographer a good career in Florida?
Ultrasound imaging requires real-time clinical judgment, patient interaction, and probe technique that cannot be automated or outsourced.
Which Florida metros pay diagnostic sonographers the most?
Among Florida metro areas, Jacksonville leads at $84,470, followed by Orlando ($83,310), Tampa Bay ($82,120). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Diagnostic Sonographer in Florida?
Real Florida options include ATA Career Education, Advance Science International College, AdventHealth University. Most diagnostic sonographers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Diagnostic Sonographer a growing career in Florida?
Florida projects diagnostic sonographers employment to change +17.2% from 2026 to 2034, with about 518 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Florida statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2032. Licensing summary compiled from the No Florida state license required for diagnostic sonographers (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Florida wages · Florida licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.