California Median
$128,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$61.79
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+33% vs US median
US median $96,590
State Rank
#1 of 51
10,110 employed here
How much does a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer make in California?
A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer working in California earns a median salary of $128,530 per year, or about $61.79 per hour. That is 33% above the national median of $96,590 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $62,890 while the top 10% make $177,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $99,510 and $160,580 a year.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,890 | $30.24 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $99,510 | $47.84 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $128,530 | $61.79 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $160,580 | $77.20 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,780 | $85.47 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in other states
Hawaii $124,430Washington $121,340Oregon $120,220District of Columbia $112,020Colorado $108,410Massachusetts $107,480Alaska $105,670Vermont $104,100New York $103,920New Hampshire $103,760Connecticut $103,230New Jersey $103,150Minnesota $102,850Wisconsin $102,090Montana $101,000Illinois $100,660Wyoming $100,650Missouri $100,130Utah $100,100Arizona $100,040Idaho $99,920Maryland $99,210Delaware $98,530Kansas $96,310Nevada $95,980Virginia $95,660Maine $95,230Rhode Island $92,820Texas $92,580Kentucky $91,230New Mexico $87,210Iowa $86,480North Carolina $86,010Indiana $85,040North Dakota $84,340Oklahoma $83,670South Carolina $83,290Georgia $83,250Florida $82,940Ohio $82,870Pennsylvania $82,710Nebraska $82,670Michigan $82,490Arkansas $81,500South Dakota $80,820Louisiana $80,710Tennessee $80,640West Virginia $76,820Mississippi $76,520Alabama $68,180
Working as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in California
Nationally, about 90,000 people work as Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($128,530) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer make in California?
The median Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in California is $128,530 per year, or about $61.79 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,890 at the entry level to $177,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Diagnostic Medical Sonographers about 33% more than the national median of $96,590. California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $128,530 a year. About 10,110 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.