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Diagnostic Sonographer in Georgia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Georgia employs 2,700 diagnostic sonographers, with a statewide median of $83,250 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Georgia licensing picture, and where to train.

What Diagnostic sonographers Earn in Georgia (May 2025)

Georgia median pay: $83,250 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $62,120
Experienced (75th percentile): $98,140
Top earners (90th percentile): $104,930
Employed in Georgia: 2,700
U.S. median (for comparison): $84,470 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for diagnostic sonographers in major Georgia markets:

Savannah: $83,720 (130 employed)
Augusta: $80,340 (160 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Georgia

Prices in Georgia run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 96.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $83,250 median stretches to roughly $86,449 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Georgia (2024–2034)

Georgia is projected to grow diagnostic sonographers employment +24.2%, faster than the +13.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 190 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Georgia License and Certification Requirements

ARDMS RDMS (national certification — no GA state license) — regulated by the No Georgia state license required for diagnostic sonographers.

Georgia does not require a state license for diagnostic medical sonographers. Graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited sonography program (2-year associate degree or certificate at a Georgia college or hospital school).
Earn the ARDMS RDMS credential: pass the SPI and a specialty exam. Piedmont Health, Wellstar, Emory, Grady, and Northside Hospital are major Atlanta-area employers that universally require ARDMS certification.
Atlanta is a major healthcare hub in the Southeast, and Georgia's growing population drives strong imaging demand. Coastal markets (Savannah, Brunswick) and growing suburbs also have active hiring.

Official requirements: No Georgia state license required for diagnostic sonographers →

Training in Georgia

CAAHEP-accredited Georgia programs include Emory University, Augusta University, and Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Atlanta's high growth rate in the northern suburbs (Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall counties) is driving new hospital construction and strong sonographer demand outside the core metro.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Georgia include:

Albany State University — Certificate / Associate / Bachelor's
Albany Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Andrew College — Associate
Athens Technical College — Certificate / Associate

Where Diagnostic sonographers Work in Georgia

Real Georgia hospitals that employ diagnostic sonographers include:

Augusta VA Medical Center — Augusta
Grady Memorial Hospital — Atlanta
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital — Albany
Emory University Hospital — Atlanta
Atrium Health Navicent the Medical Center — Macon
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center — Marietta

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 Georgia?

The median wage for diagnostic sonographers in Georgia is $83,250 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $62,120, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $104,930. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Diagnostic Sonographer in Georgia?

ARDMS RDMS (national certification — no GA state license), overseen by the No Georgia state license required for diagnostic sonographers. Georgia does not require a state license for diagnostic medical sonographers. Graduate from a CAAHEP-accredited sonography program (2-year associate degree or certificate at a Georgia college or hospital school).

Is being a Diagnostic Sonographer a good career in Georgia?

Ultrasound imaging requires real-time clinical judgment, patient interaction, and probe technique that cannot be automated or outsourced.

Which Georgia metros pay diagnostic sonographers the most?

Among Georgia metro areas, Savannah leads at $83,720, followed by Augusta ($80,340). 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 Georgia?

Real Georgia options include Albany State University, Albany Technical College, Andrew College. Most diagnostic sonographers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Diagnostic Sonographer a growing career in Georgia?

Georgia projects diagnostic sonographers employment to change +24.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 190 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), Georgia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2032. Licensing summary compiled from the No Georgia 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 Georgia wages · Georgia 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.