This page covers accredited sonography programs available in Pennsylvania, state licensure requirements, salary information, and how to get started if you’re pursuing diagnostic medical sonography in the state. Pennsylvania has one of the largest concentrations of accredited sonography programs in the Mid-Atlantic — including several in the Lancaster and Philadelphia metros — along with strong healthcare employment across the state.
Accredited Sonography Programs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to a mix of community colleges, private colleges, and university-affiliated hospitals offering CAAHEP-accredited diagnostic medical sonography programs. Most can be completed in two to four years depending on whether you pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree track, and all include clinical rotation hours alongside didactic coursework.
| Institution | Location | Degree Type | Specializations | UD School Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences | Lancaster | Associate & Bachelor of Science | Abdominal-Extended, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Vascular | Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences |
| Thomas Jefferson University (Jefferson College of Health Professions) | Philadelphia | Bachelor of Science | Abdominal-Extended, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Cardiac, Vascular | Thomas Jefferson University |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | Gwynedd Valley | Bachelor of Science | Abdominal-Extended, Obstetrics & Gynecology | Gwynedd Mercy University |
| Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) | Pittsburgh | Associate of Applied Science | Abdominal-Extended, Obstetrics & Gynecology | Community College of Allegheny County |
| Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell | Associate of Applied Science | Abdominal-Extended, Obstetrics & Gynecology | Montgomery County Community College |
| Bucks County Community College | Newtown | Associate of Applied Science | Abdominal-Extended, Obstetrics & Gynecology | Bucks County Community College |
All programs listed above are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Graduates are eligible to sit for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification exam, which most Pennsylvania employers require regardless of the state’s licensure rules.
Lancaster-area note. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences, based in Lancaster, is the primary CAAHEP-accredited sonography pathway in south-central Pennsylvania. It offers both an associate and a bachelor’s track, with clinical rotations at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health and affiliated regional facilities.
State Licensing Requirements
Pennsylvania does not require state licensure for diagnostic medical sonographers. There is no state licensing board for sonography, and no state-issued credential is required to practice.
However, Pennsylvania employers — hospital systems, outpatient imaging centers, and physician practices — typically require national certification through ARDMS (or, less commonly, ARRT’s sonography pathway) as a condition of hire. While not mandated by state law, national certification is the practical standard across the commonwealth.
Salary and Job Outlook in Pennsylvania
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Pennsylvania earn wages in line with or slightly below the national median. Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, Pennsylvania is one of the larger employing states for sonographers in the country.
| Metric | Pennsylvania | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $82,000–$87,000 | $89,340 |
| 10th percentile | ~$60,000 | $64,760 |
| 90th percentile | ~$110,000+ | $123,170 |
| Employment | ~2,400 | 57,000 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (state-level OES series 29-2032).
Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. Pennsylvania’s healthcare employment base — anchored by large systems such as UPMC, Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Geisinger, and Penn State Health — provides steady demand for credentialed sonographers statewide.
Wages and availability vary significantly by metro:
- Philadelphia metro typically offers the highest wages and the largest concentration of imaging positions.
- Pittsburgh metro offers comparable volume with lower cost of living; UPMC is the dominant employer.
- Lancaster, Harrisburg, and the Lehigh Valley offer steady demand with lower wage ranges but meaningfully lower living costs.
- Rural northern and western counties have fewer imaging sites; positions can be limited to regional hospitals.
How to Get Started
- Choose a CAAHEP-accredited program. Consider location, specialization offerings (cardiac and vascular are less common than abdominal/OB), and degree type.
- Understand the prerequisites. Most programs require high school completion plus college coursework in anatomy & physiology, algebra, and medical terminology. Some bachelor’s programs are two-plus-two structures.
- Plan for certification. After completing your program, you’ll be eligible to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam plus one or more specialty exams. Plan three to six months of review for the SPI alone.
- Explore financial options. Community college programs typically cost $6,000–$10,000 per year in in-state tuition; private colleges and universities run considerably higher. Pennsylvania residents may be eligible for PHEAA grants and state-specific healthcare workforce aid.
Cost of Living and Employment Context
Pennsylvania offers a wide cost-of-living range. The Philadelphia metro has housing costs well above the national average; Pittsburgh, Lancaster, and Harrisburg sit at or below the national average; rural counties are materially cheaper. Wage data tends to track cost of living.
Most of Pennsylvania’s accredited associate programs are at community colleges with tuition in the $6,000–$10,000 range annually for in-state students. Bachelor’s programs at private universities (Jefferson, Gwynedd Mercy, Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences) are priced higher — typically $25,000–$45,000 per year before aid. Factor in living expenses, clinical rotation travel, and the ARDMS exam fees (typically $350–$500 for the SPI plus each specialty) when budgeting.
Additional Resources
- CAAHEP Program Search: caahep.org
- ARDMS Certification: ardms.org
- PHEAA: pheaa.org
- BLS: bls.gov/ooh
Last verified: April 2026. Program details, specializations, tuition, and availability change. Contact institutions directly for current information, admission timelines, and tuition. This information is provided for general guidance only.