Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Huntington Beach, CA: $65.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Huntington Beach, CA runs $65.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $137,107 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Huntington Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,264 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Huntington Beach, California, diagnostic medical sonographers are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $65.92 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $48.73. This figure indicates robust compensation in local medical imaging settings, including hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging vans. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly rate opens doors to lucrative earning potential even with fewer hours on the schedule. Entry-level sonographers can expect to make around $47.46 per hour, while those at the top of their game can command as much as $93.26 hourly, demonstrating a vibrant pay scale that reflects experience and specialty. The figures provided are derived from annual salary data, highlighting the solid financial prospects within this field in Huntington Beach.
About the Huntington Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.46 | $379.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.49 | $443.90 |
| Median (P50) | $65.92 | $527.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.06 | $576.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.26 | $746.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington Beach
Based on $65.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.92/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $137,107 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,100. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Huntington Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,636.68 | $11,426 | $137,107 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,582.01 | $6,855 | $82,264 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,054.67 | $4,570 | $54,843 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Huntington Beach) | $65.92 |
| 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 Huntington Beach, CA earn a median of $137,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.28% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.30% above the California state average of $136,697.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.92/hr = $82,264/year (purchasing power: $72,736).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $137,107/year (purchasing power: $121,227).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Huntington Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Huntington Beach grew 30.0% from $48.34/hr (2019) to $62.82/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.17/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 Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach
Consider the part-time earnings of a diagnostic medical sonographer working three days a week. Such a schedule yields about 24 hours of work each week, translating to an annual income close to $83,200—exceptional for part-time roles. The per diem market is also promising, with sonographers billing between $55 and $80 per hour for general assignments, while specialized cardiac echo per-diem professionals can make anywhere from $70 to $95 per hour. Travel contracts become even more lucrative, offering between $2,000 and $3,200 weekly, especially for those in cardiac and vascular specialties. However, job types greatly influence hourly rates in Huntington Beach; hospitals and outpatient centers may offer more stable employment with benefits, while independent agencies may provide higher hourly pay but lack health insurance. Sonographers considering their options should weigh salary against benefits, and it's advantageous to negotiate based on local standards. The fluctuating market means those with skills in cardiac echo or vascular imaging can often negotiate for better rates, especially in a vibrant medical community like Huntington Beach.
More salary data for Huntington Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Huntington Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in Huntington Beach?
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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 Huntington Beach. 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 Huntington Beach 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