Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Huntsville, AL: $34.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Huntsville, AL runs $34.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,457 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Huntsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,874 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Huntsville, Alabama, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay stands at a median of $34.35, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $48.73. This difference can impact part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week who might only take home around $30,000 annually. Per-diem positions are also available in facilities like hospital ultrasound suites and outpatient imaging centers, offering flexible opportunities in various settings including cardiology echo labs and portable imaging units. The hourly wage for entry-level sonographers typically starts around $26.39, while top earners can achieve rates as high as $46.49, allowing for a potentially lucrative career for those who excel in the field.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.39 | $211.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.51 | $236.05 |
| Median (P50) | $34.35 | $274.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.29 | $322.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.49 | $371.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntsville
Based on $34.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.35/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntsville, AL can expect to earn approximately $71,456 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,225. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huntsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,374.16 | $5,955 | $71,456 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $824.50 | $3,573 | $42,874 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $549.67 | $2,382 | $28,583 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Huntsville) | $34.35 |
| 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 Huntsville, AL earn a median of $71,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.50% lower than the national median of $101,352.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.35/hr = $42,874/year (purchasing power: $46,065).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,456/year (purchasing power: $76,775).
CoL index: 93.072 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Huntsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Huntsville grew 10.9% from $29.51/hr (2019) to $32.74/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.05/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 Huntsville 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 Huntsville
Focusing on part-time earnings, a diagnostic medical sonographer working 24 hours weekly could generate around $26,950 annually at the median rate. This is considerably less than the income of full-time professionals, who can see their salaries rise considerably. For those considering per diem or agency work, it's common to see billing rates between $55 and $80 per hour. Specialties in cardiac echo may yield up to $95 per hour, while travel sonographers can command contracts that pay $2,000 to $3,200 weekly. Hourly rates can vary depending on the employer type as well; hospitals, outpatient centers like RadNet or SimonMed, and vascular practices may offer different compensation structures. When weighing job offers, it's essential for sonographers to consider the benefits trade-off—opting for lower hourly pay might come with health insurance and other advantages, while higher pay might not include those perks. Negotiating effectively can make these considerations more manageable, empowering professionals to select the best opportunity in Huntsville, AL.
More salary data for Huntsville, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Huntsville in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in Huntsville?
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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 Huntsville. 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