Median Salary
$96,590
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$46.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$129,370
entry level starts ~$67,820
Pay Grade
B+
strong pay · 90,000 employed
How much does a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer make?
The median pay for a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in the United States is $96,590 per year — about $46.44 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $67,820, while the most experienced Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the top 10% earn $129,370.
That is $35,200 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary range by percentile
Half of all Diagnostic Medical Sonographers earn between $80,430 and $106,930 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,820 | $32.61 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $80,430 | $38.67 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,590 | $46.44 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $106,930 | $51.41 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,370 | $62.20 |
|
Highest-paying states for Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. California leads the country for Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay at $128,530 a year, followed by Hawaii ($124,430) and Washington ($121,340). At the other end, Alabama posts the lowest median at $68,180 — a gap of $60,350 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
California $128,530Hawaii $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
Workforce and education
About 90,000 people work as Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the United States. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer make in the United States?
The median Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in the United States is $96,590 per year, or about $46.44 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $67,820, while the top 10% of earners make $129,370 or more.
How does Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B+ (strong pay), the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer median of $96,590 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Diagnostic Medical Sonographers the most?
California is the highest-paying state for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, with a median salary of $128,530 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
Becoming a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer typically requires about 4 years of college. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
How many Diagnostic Medical Sonographers work in the United States?
About 90,000 people were employed as Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.