Back to the national Diagnostic Sonographer profile

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

Allied healthcare

Tennessee employs 1,880 diagnostic sonographers, with a statewide median of $80,640 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.

What Diagnostic sonographers Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)

Tennessee median pay: $80,640 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $62,220
Experienced (75th percentile): $94,390
Top earners (90th percentile): $101,830
Employed in Tennessee: 1,880
U.S. median (for comparison): $84,470 (May 2024)

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

Nashville: $89,710 (500 employed)
Memphis: $82,930 (390 employed)
Knoxville: $79,360 (280 employed)
Chattanooga: $78,670 (190 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee

Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $80,640 median stretches to roughly $87,748 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)

Tennessee is projected to grow diagnostic sonographers employment +14.5%, faster than the +13.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 140 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Tennessee License and Certification Requirements

None required — ARDMS RDMS is the national credential employers require — regulated by the No Tennessee state license required for diagnostic medical sonographers.

Tennessee does not require a state license for sonographers. Complete a CAAHEP-accredited diagnostic medical sonography program (typically a 2-year associate degree) with clinical rotations in abdominal, OB/GYN, and vascular sonography.
Earn the ARDMS RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) credential: pass the SPI exam plus a specialty exam (AB, OB/GYN, etc.). Vanderbilt, HCA, and Ascension facilities in Tennessee require ARDMS credentials.
Apply to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Healthcare hospitals, Ascension Saint Thomas, or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers across Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.

Official requirements: No Tennessee state license required for diagnostic medical sonographers →

Training in Tennessee

Volunteer State Community College and Baptist College of Health Sciences (Memphis) offer CAAHEP-accredited sonography programs. Tennessee's large hospital network — led by HCA Healthcare's extensive system and Vanderbilt — creates steady sonographer demand across all four major metros.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:

Austin Peay State University — Bachelor's
Baptist Health Sciences University — Associate / Bachelor's
Bethel University — Bachelor's
Chattanooga State Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where Diagnostic sonographers Work in Tennessee

Real Tennessee hospitals that employ diagnostic sonographers include:

Methodist Hospitals of Memphis — Memphis
Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville
Baptist Memorial Hospital — Memphis
Veterans Affairs Medical Center — Memphis
Erlanger Health System — Chattanooga
Jackson-Madison County General Hospital — Jackson

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 Tennessee?

The median wage for diagnostic sonographers in Tennessee is $80,640 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $62,220, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $101,830. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

None required — ARDMS RDMS is the national credential employers require, overseen by the No Tennessee state license required for diagnostic medical sonographers. Tennessee does not require a state license for sonographers. Complete a CAAHEP-accredited diagnostic medical sonography program (typically a 2-year associate degree) with clinical rotations in abdominal, OB/GYN, and vascular sonography.

Is being a Diagnostic Sonographer a good career in Tennessee?

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

Which Tennessee metros pay diagnostic sonographers the most?

Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville leads at $89,710, followed by Memphis ($82,930), Knoxville ($79,360). 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 Tennessee?

Real Tennessee options include Austin Peay State University, Baptist Health Sciences University, Bethel 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 Tennessee?

Tennessee projects diagnostic sonographers employment to change +14.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 140 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), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2032. Licensing summary compiled from the No Tennessee state license required for diagnostic medical 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 Tennessee wages · Tennessee 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.