Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Gadsden, AL: $33.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Gadsden, AL runs $33.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,124 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Gadsden's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,473 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gadsden, Alabama, diagnostic medical sonographers earn a median hourly rate of $33.23, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $48.73. This rate reflects the opportunities available in various work settings, including hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and OB-GYN practices. For those considering part-time work, such as a 3-days-per-week schedule, this wage means a take-home pay that can support a modest lifestyle, while per-diem positions offer flexibility and varied pay scales. These roles typically range from $25.40 to $43.87 an hour depending on experience and specialty, with those who have advanced training in cardiac and vascular sonography being on the higher end of the spectrum. The local job market is shaped not only by the demand for services in Gadsden but also by the broader regional economic landscape.
About the Gadsden Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.40 | $203.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.85 | $230.76 |
| Median (P50) | $33.23 | $265.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.80 | $294.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.87 | $350.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gadsden
Based on $33.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.23/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gadsden, AL can expect to earn approximately $69,121 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,878. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gadsden.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gadsden
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,329.25 | $5,760 | $69,121 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $797.55 | $3,456 | $41,473 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $531.70 | $2,304 | $27,648 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Gadsden) | $33.23 |
| 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 Gadsden, AL earn a median of $69,124 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.80% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 3.30% below the Alabama state average of $71,483.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.23/hr = $41,473/year (purchasing power: $47,182).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,121/year (purchasing power: $78,636).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Gadsden grew 37.2% from $23.08/hr (2019) to $31.67/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.87/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 Gadsden 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 Gadsden
Exploring part-time pay, a diagnostic medical sonographer working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can expect to earn around $41,304 annually, while full-time employment would significantly increase that figure. For per diem opportunities, pay can range from $55 to $80 hourly, with cardiac echo sonographers seeing rates between $70 and $95, making this route highly lucrative. Contracting with travel sonography agencies also presents options for those willing to be flexible, with weekly earnings of $2,000 to $3,200, especially in high demand fields like cardiac and vascular sonography. Hourly rates can vary based on the type of employer, with hospitals generally offering lower hourly rates but bolstered by benefits, compared to private practices and mobile imaging companies that may pay a premium but often without health insurance. Negotiating hourly pay effectively in Gadsden requires an understanding of these dynamics, with potential hourly workers advised to weigh the stability of traditional employment against the higher pay potential and lack of benefits in per diem and agency roles.
More salary data for Gadsden, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Gadsden in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in Gadsden?
Are diagnostic medical sonographers in Gadsden paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time diagnostic medical sonographer make per year in Gadsden?
Do diagnostic medical sonographers earn more per hour working part-time in Gadsden?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 Gadsden. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gadsden is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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