Polysomnography: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Polysomnography is a specialized field focused on the clinical assessment and monitoring of sleep-related disorders through advanced diagnostic techniques. This program equips students with the technical and analytical skills needed to support sleep medicine professionals in diagnosing and managing conditions that affect sleep quality and overall health.
- Human Anatomy and Physiology: A foundational study of the structure and function of the human body, with emphasis on systems relevant to sleep regulation and respiratory health.
- Polysomnographic Technology: Training in the operation and maintenance of equipment used to record physiological data during sleep, including EEG, EOG, EMG, and respiratory sensors.
- Polysomnography Scoring: Development of expertise in interpreting and analyzing sleep study data to identify sleep stages, respiratory events, and neurological activity.
- Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of Sleep: In-depth exploration of brain structures and neural processes that govern sleep-wake cycles, including the role of neurotransmitters and brainstem pathways.
- Sleep Disorders: Comprehensive study of common and complex conditions such as insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, parasomnias, and circadian rhythm disorders.
- Medical Terminology: Mastery of precise language used in clinical documentation, patient communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration within healthcare settings.
Polysomnography Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Polysomnography Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Polysomnography degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 403,780 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other 29-2099 | $48,790 | $37,290 - $81,290 | 174,060 | $23.46 |
Polysomnography Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $52,175 in Hawaii to $109,045 in Arkansas—a 109% difference. The highest-paying states include Arkansas, District of Columbia, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 403,780 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Polysomnography by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 25 institutions offering Polysomnography programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Polysomnography is found at Concorde Career College, Grand Prairie (54 graduates), Concorde Career College, Memphis (32 graduates), Concorde Career College, San Bernardino (27 graduates), Orange Coast College (OCC) (25 graduates), and Volunteer State Community College (Vol State) (16 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 256 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concorde Career College |
Other Award
|
54 | Grand Prairie, Texas | Private | concorde.edu |
| Concorde Career College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
32 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | concorde.edu |
| Concorde Career College |
Other Award
|
27 | San Bernardino, California | Private | concorde.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| Volunteer State Community College (Vol State) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Gallatin, Tennessee | Public | volstate.edu |
| Pitt Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Winterville, North Carolina | Public | pittcc.edu |
| GateWay Community College (GWCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | gatewaycc.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Troy, New York | Public | hvcc.edu |
| Concorde Career College |
Other Award
|
7 | Portland, Oregon | Private | concorde.edu |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock (BHCLR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Little Rock, Arkansas | Private | bhclr.edu |
| CUNY Kingsborough Community College (KCC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | kbcc.cuny.edu |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | minneapolis.edu |
| Coahoma Community College (CCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Clarksdale, Mississippi | Public | coahomacc.edu |
| Lenoir Community College (LCC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Kinston, North Carolina | Public | lenoircc.edu |
| Oregon Institute of Technology (OTI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | Klamath Falls, Oregon | Public | oit.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Associate's
|
4 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
| Mercy College of Ohio |
Other Award
|
4 | Toledo, Ohio | Private | mercycollege.edu |
| Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Palos Hills, Illinois | Public | morainevalley.edu |
| Lakeland Community College (LCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Kirtland, Ohio | Public | lakelandcc.edu |
| Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Warner Robins, Georgia | Public | centralgatech.edu |
| Southern University (SUSLA) |
Associate's
|
2 | Shreveport, Louisiana | Public | susla.edu |
| Delgado Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | dcc.edu |
| University of Holy Cross (UHC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | uhcno.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Polysomnography programs
How much can I earn with a Polysomnography degree?
Salaries for Polysomnography graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other earn around $48,790. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Arkansas average $109,045 compared to $52,175 in Hawaii. Approximately 403,780 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Polysomnography programs?
Currently 25 accredited institutions offer Polysomnography degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Concorde Career College, Grand Prairie (54 graduates), Concorde Career College, Memphis (32 graduates), and Concorde Career College, San Bernardino (27 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Polysomnography growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 137 in 2010 to 256 in 2023-24. This represents a 87% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Polysomnography degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other, . Related occupations employ approximately 403,780 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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