Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Birmingham, AL: $35.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Birmingham, AL runs $35.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,336 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Birmingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,000 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Birmingham, Alabama, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay is projected to be $35.26 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $48.73. This differential highlights the earning potential for part-time and per-diem workers who typically operate in hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and other clinical settings. With an hourly range from $30.24 for entry-level sonographers to $41.64 for the more experienced and skilled professionals, this salary reflects the demand for qualified practitioners while also emphasizing the local cost of living, which sits below the national average. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data provides a concrete foundation for understanding how pay scales emerge within Birmingham's healthcare landscape.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.24 | $241.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.27 | $266.19 |
| Median (P50) | $35.26 | $282.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.94 | $319.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.64 | $333.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Birmingham
Based on $35.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.26/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Birmingham, AL can expect to earn approximately $73,333 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,308. With a cost-of-living index of 91.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Birmingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Birmingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,410.26 | $6,111 | $73,333 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $846.16 | $3,667 | $44,000 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $564.10 | $2,444 | $29,333 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Birmingham) | $35.26 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $35.27 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (National Avg) | $46.68 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist (National Avg) | $33.92 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $73,336 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.64% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 2.60% above the Alabama state average of $71,477.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.26/hr = $44,000/year (purchasing power: $48,012).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,333/year (purchasing power: $80,020).
CoL index: 91.644 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Birmingham grew 13.0% from $29.73/hr (2019) to $33.60/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.99/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem diagnostic medical sonographers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.93% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Birmingham
Examining the earning potential for a part-time sonographer working three days a week brings to light some interesting insights. These professionals can expect to take home approximately $41,900 annually, notably less than those working full-time, who see higher earnings due to more consistent hours. Per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Birmingham can be quite lucrative; many professionals in this role bill between $55 and $80 per hour, with premium rates for specialties like cardiac echo, where pay can reach $70 to $95 per hour. Hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and private practices are among the primary employers, each offering different compensation scenarios. While outpatient centers may present higher hourly rates, many offer no benefits, prompting some sonographers to accept lower hourly rates from hospitals which provide health insurance and retirement plans. When negotiating rates, it’s advisable for Birmingham professionals to emphasize certifications such as RDMS or RVT to secure better compensation, especially in a market experiencing a 4.93% annual growth rate over the next five years.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Khan, RDMS, RVT
Career Analyst
Aisha has over 10 years of experience in abdominal sonography. She works at a regional hospital. Aisha also conducts training for new sonographers.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for diagnostic medical sonographers in Birmingham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.93%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for diagnostic medical sonographers (SOC 29-2032).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Khan, RDMS, RVT, a licensed diagnostic medical sonographer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov