Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Anchorage, AK: $54.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Anchorage, AK runs $54.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $114,111 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Anchorage's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.4, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $52.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,462 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Anchorage, Alaska, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $54.86, which is notably higher than the national median hourly rate of $48.73. This substantial compensation reflects the region's demand for skilled professionals across various settings including hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and specialty clinics like OB-GYN and cardiology. Sonographers working part-time, perhaps three days a week, can still command a respectable hourly wage, enabling them to balance work with personal commitments. With a range from $39.43 at the entry-level to $63.16 for the most experienced practitioners, the hourly earnings in this field provide ample opportunity to thrive amid Anchorage's cost of living index of 105.42, which slightly exceeds the national average.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.43 | $315.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.96 | $399.66 |
| Median (P50) | $54.86 | $438.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.17 | $489.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.16 | $505.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Anchorage
Based on $54.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.86/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Anchorage, AK can expect to earn approximately $114,103 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,829. With a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Anchorage.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Anchorage
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,194.30 | $9,509 | $114,103 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,316.58 | $5,705 | $68,462 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $877.72 | $3,803 | $45,641 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Anchorage) | $54.86 |
| 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 Anchorage, AK earn a median of $114,111 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.59% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 6.10% above the Alaska state average of $107,551.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.86/hr = $68,462/year (purchasing power: $64,942).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $114,103/year (purchasing power: $108,237).
CoL index: 105.42 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Anchorage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Anchorage grew 11.3% from $46.97/hr (2019) to $52.28/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.56/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 Anchorage 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 Anchorage
For those seeking flexible earning options, per diem positions can prove lucrative for diagnostic medical sonographers in Anchorage. Typically, per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in the area ranges from $55 to $80 per hour, with specialized roles such as cardiac echo offering rates as high as $70 to $95 per hour. Travel contracts further enhance potential earnings, often yielding $2,000 to $3,200 per week, particularly for cardiac and vascular specialties. Employers vary from hospitals to outpatient imaging chains like RadNet and SimonMed, leading to different hourly rates based on benefits and stability. While some may opt for lower hourly wages that include health insurance and other benefits, others might favor higher pay without the safety net, reflecting diverse professional priorities. Diagnostic medical sonographers in Anchorage can advocate for fair compensation by staying informed about market rates and emphasizing their specialty credentials, such as those from ARDMS.
More salary data for Anchorage, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Anchorage in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in Anchorage?
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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 Anchorage. 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