Modesto is a California city that has successfully combined urban living with small-town charm. Located in the San Joaquin Valley, residents enjoy activities such as rafting on the Stanislaus River and horseback riding at one of the many ranches. Food options run the gamut from four-star restaurant meals to a plethora of locally produced fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Diagnostic medical sonographers in Modesto, California will also find a strong health care system serving a regional area.
Sonography Education in Modesto, California
The only way to earn a credential as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is by passing the ARDMS exams. However, certain prerequisites must be put in place first. Programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP) more thoroughly prepare students to master exams at any time and ensure students have met clinical training requirements. As of 2014, the closest accredited ultrasound technician program to Modesto is Merced College in Merced, California.
Since ultrasound technician schools limit the number of applicants, it may be necessary to find a program further afield. If the student needs financial help for sonography study, there are many different types of scholarships, grants, and loan packages available. Your school’s financial aid office is a good place to start your search, but there are many scholarships available outside of schools. The Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers is the best starting point.
There are more than 18,000 students enrolled at Modesto Junior College in day and evening classes. Within a 30-mile radius are three more universities and colleges with total enrollment of more than 19,000 students.
Salary Data and Job Outlook for Sonographers in Modesto, California
Modesto diagnostic medical sonographers earned significantly more than the national average annual salary for ultrasound technicians. As of May 2013, Modesto sonographers earned $77,230 in median annual wages, or $37.13 per hour. Nationally, median salaries in May 2013 were $67,170, meaning Modesto sonographer salaries were 15 percent higher. The bottom 10 percent of sonographers in Modesto earned 92 percent of the national median salary.
Modesto is located in Stanislaus County, California, where 30 percent net job growth is projected for 2010 to 2020 for diagnostic medical sonographers. In terms of wages and employment opportunities, Modesto is a great location.
A list of the best diagnostic medical sonography programs in Modesto and nearby cities in California
School Name: Merced College
Contact person: Cheryl Zelinksky
Contact phone: (209) 384-6170
Program: Certificate
School Name: Community Regional Medical Center
Contact Person: Joy Guthrie
Contact phone: (559) 459-2731
Program: Certificate
School Name: Foothill College
Contact person: Kathleen Austin
Contact phone: (650) 949-7304
Program: Certificate and Associate Degree
School Name: Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences
Contact person: Dorsey Ballow
Contact phone: (510) 231-5083
Program: Certificate and Bachelor
Nearby States With Accredited Sonography Programs
In 2014, you can find more accredited ultrasound technician schools in the following nearby states:
- Arizona (3 schools)
- Nevada (1 school)