Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers earn a median $96,590 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
U.S. median
$96,590
$46.44 per hour
Range
$67,820 – $129,370
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
90,160
across the U.S.
▲8.1%
Pay trend: The median for diagnostic medical sonographers in the U.S. rose from $89,340 (May 2024) to $96,590 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 5.7%.
What diagnostic medical sonographers do
Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +13.9% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 6,000
- Self-employed
- 1%
Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 13.9% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 6,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$76,781
per year · effective tax rate 20.5%
$6,398Monthly
$3,199Twice a month
$2,953Every 2 weeks
$36.91Hourly
- Federal income tax$12,420
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,989
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,401
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$76,781
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,820 | $32.61 | $56,541 |
| 25th percentile | $80,430 | $38.67 | $65,413 |
| Median (50th) | $96,590 | $46.44 | $76,781 |
| 75th percentile | $106,930 | $51.41 | $84,055 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,370 | $62.20 | $99,690 |
Best cities for diagnostic medical sonographers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $119,430 | $84,419 | $74,335 | 3,550 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $107,250 | $78,993 | $70,177 | 7,020 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $119,430
- New York, NY — $107,250
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $128,530 | +6.4% | $89,722 | $62,890 – $177,780 | 10,110 |
| Hawaii | $124,430 | +2.0% | $88,387 | $83,900 – $135,660 | 210 |
| Washington | $121,340 | +13.0% | $94,193 | $61,840 – $156,860 | 2,190 |
| Oregon | $120,220 | +11.1% | $83,715 | $91,960 – $135,150 | 1,210 |
| District of Columbia | $112,020 | +5.5% | $81,083 | $93,590 – $135,280 | 160 |
| Colorado | $108,410 | +3.4% | $81,035 | $85,500 – $130,720 | 1,430 |
| Massachusetts | $107,480 | +3.2% | $79,288 | $89,190 – $133,480 | 2,190 |
| Alaska | $105,670 | +2.4% | $83,169 | $78,170 – $126,540 | 140 |
| Vermont | $104,100 | +2.4% | $77,654 | $80,190 – $134,080 | 140 |
| New York | $103,920 | +2.0% | $76,847 | $79,630 – $127,120 | 6,880 |
| New Hampshire | $103,760 | +3.6% | $81,825 | $82,110 – $134,220 | 400 |
| Connecticut | $103,230 | +0.4% | $77,350 | $77,790 – $129,480 | 990 |
| New Jersey | $103,150 | +3.2% | $77,015 | $80,090 – $134,550 | 3,370 |
| Minnesota | $102,850 | +1.7% | $75,715 | $84,020 – $120,220 | 1,710 |
| Wisconsin | $102,090 | +1.4% | $76,620 | $82,430 – $124,450 | 1,530 |
| Montana | $101,000 | +4.1% | $75,538 | $80,750 – $121,260 | 230 |
| Illinois | $100,660 | +2.9% | $74,806 | $78,350 – $122,680 | 3,270 |
| Wyoming | $100,650 | +5.2% | $79,637 | $80,390 – $136,830 | 90 |
| Missouri | $100,130 | +9.5% | $75,503 | $76,820 – $106,090 | 1,930 |
| Utah | $100,100 | +9.8% | $75,712 | $70,030 – $124,760 | 740 |
| Arizona | $100,040 | −1.0% | $76,916 | $74,010 – $127,510 | 2,070 |
| Idaho | $99,920 | +2.5% | $74,936 | $79,290 – $117,100 | 510 |
| Maryland | $99,210 | +4.3% | $74,275 | $80,940 – $118,520 | 1,760 |
| Delaware | $98,530 | +12.2% | $72,984 | $83,240 – $115,800 | 220 |
| Kansas | $96,310 | +9.2% | $72,010 | $72,420 – $112,520 | 670 |
| Nevada | $95,980 | +1.7% | $76,352 | $74,960 – $133,250 | 640 |
| Virginia | $95,660 | +7.0% | $71,440 | $77,540 – $122,930 | 2,160 |
| Maine | $95,230 | +11.0% | $70,511 | $78,330 – $125,130 | 380 |
| Rhode Island | $92,820 | −6.9% | $71,265 | $83,690 – $129,690 | 380 |
| Texas | $92,580 | +9.0% | $73,960 | $64,360 – $106,090 | 6,960 |
| Kentucky | $91,230 | +13.6% | $69,935 | $62,440 – $115,390 | 940 |
| New Mexico | $87,210 | +3.6% | $67,240 | $65,250 – $108,030 | 410 |
| Iowa | $86,480 | +3.1% | $67,034 | $72,480 – $101,970 | 740 |
| North Carolina | $86,010 | +3.0% | $66,415 | $67,070 – $105,530 | 2,970 |
| Indiana | $85,040 | +0.7% | $66,176 | $62,850 – $103,320 | 1,380 |
| North Dakota | $84,340 | +0.6% | $67,778 | $66,890 – $102,570 | 240 |
| Oklahoma | $83,670 | +4.0% | $64,472 | $64,610 – $102,570 | 1,060 |
| South Carolina | $83,290 | +3.5% | $63,584 | $69,530 – $102,540 | 1,340 |
| Georgia | $83,250 | +3.8% | $63,699 | $62,120 – $104,930 | 2,700 |
| Florida | $82,940 | +2.1% | $67,178 | $66,230 – $103,570 | 6,670 |
| Ohio | $82,870 | +2.4% | $65,632 | $65,480 – $101,190 | 3,160 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,710 | +3.8% | $64,477 | $68,370 – $103,570 | 2,980 |
| Nebraska | $82,670 | +4.3% | $64,106 | $64,590 – $105,320 | 780 |
| Michigan | $82,490 | +2.7% | $63,607 | $66,960 – $96,360 | 3,100 |
| Arkansas | $81,500 | +3.8% | $63,199 | $64,280 – $102,190 | 640 |
| South Dakota | $80,820 | +7.9% | $65,687 | $51,100 – $98,090 | 370 |
| Louisiana | $80,710 | +5.6% | $63,574 | $62,900 – $98,500 | 1,150 |
| Tennessee | $80,640 | +1.5% | $65,560 | $62,220 – $101,830 | 1,880 |
| West Virginia | $76,820 | +4.6% | $60,105 | $64,750 – $99,060 | 780 |
| Mississippi | $76,520 | +4.2% | $60,333 | $59,660 – $92,340 | 700 |
| Alabama | $68,180 | +2.8% | $53,651 | $51,700 – $83,220 | 1,510 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $95,480 | Associate's degree | +7.7% |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | $101,370 | Associate's degree | +4.4% |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 | Associate's degree | +5.0% |
| Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician | $74,310 | Associate's degree | +3.7% |
| Medical Dosimetrist | $147,470 | Bachelor's degree | +5.0% |
| Orthotist and Prosthetist | $81,110 | Master's degree | +12.9% |
| Hearing Aid Specialist | $65,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +19.4% |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.0% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $64,400 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.0% |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make?
The national median salary for diagnostic medical sonographers is $96,590 a year ($46.44 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $67,820 and the top 10% earn over $129,370. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays diagnostic medical sonographers the most?
California has the highest median pay at $128,530. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many diagnostic medical sonographers are there in the U.S.?
About 90,160 people work as diagnostic medical sonographers nationwide.