Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $119,430 a year — 24% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $84,419 take-home, or $7,035 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$17,445
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,405
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,732
- California income tax$6,877
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,553
- Take-home pay$84,419
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,180 | $27.49 | $45,901 | $3,825 |
| 25th percentile | $85,980 | $41.34 | $64,433 | $5,369 |
| Median (50th) | $119,430 | $57.42 | $84,419 | $7,035 |
| 75th percentile | $142,820 | $68.66 | $97,974 | $8,165 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,360 | $80.94 | $112,723 | $9,394 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $119,430 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median diagnostic medical sonographer's $84,419 take-home pay has the buying power of $74,335 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs are about as common in Los Angeles, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.98).
Best-paying cities for diagnostic medical sonographers, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #1 of 2 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $119,430 | $84,419 | $74,335 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $107,250 | $78,993 | $70,177 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 2 metros →
About the job: diagnostic medical sonographers
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)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $119,430 a year, or about $57.42 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $85,980 and $142,820.
What is a diagnostic medical sonographer’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $119,430 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $84,419 a year ($7,035 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,430 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Pay here is 24% above the national median of $96,590. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $74,335 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #1 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a diagnostic medical sonographer afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median diagnostic medical sonographer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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