Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Riverside, CA: $53.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Riverside, CA runs $53.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $111,079 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Riverside's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.4, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,655 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, California, diagnostic medical sonographers earn a median hourly rate of $53.41, surpassing the national hourly median of $48.73. This positions Riverside sonographers favorably in terms of compensation, especially for part-time and per-diem workers who often find themselves in settings like hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging vans. Given the hourly range for this profession, entry-level sonographers can expect to earn around $30.92 per hour, while top earners in the field may command as much as $75.99 per hour. This data is reflective of projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and indicates robust earning potential for those engaged in this essential healthcare role within the local economy.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.92 | $247.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.08 | $392.61 |
| Median (P50) | $53.41 | $427.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.27 | $522.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.99 | $607.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Riverside
Based on $53.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.41/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Riverside, CA can expect to earn approximately $111,091 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,091. With a cost-of-living index of 106.44 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Riverside.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Riverside
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,136.37 | $9,258 | $111,091 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,281.82 | $5,555 | $66,655 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $854.55 | $3,703 | $44,437 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Riverside) | $53.41 |
| 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 Riverside, CA earn a median of $111,079 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.60% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 18.70% below the California state average of $136,628.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.41/hr = $66,655/year (purchasing power: $62,621).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $111,091/year (purchasing power: $104,368).
CoL index: 106.442 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Riverside grew 23.2% from $41.32/hr (2019) to $50.90/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.04/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 Riverside 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 Riverside
For those considering a part-time position, working three days a week translates to approximately 24 hours, which can generate significant income compared to full-time counterparts. Part-time sonographers may see annual earnings that vary greatly depending on the settings they choose, while per-diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Riverside generally ranges from $55 to $80 per hour. Notably, cardiac echo specialists may command even higher rates, typically earning $70 to $95 per hour, with travel contracts fetching between $2,000 and $3,200 weekly. Hourly rates can fluctuate based on the type of employer, whether in hospital imaging departments or outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed. While some sonographers opt for slightly lower pay in exchange for benefits, others may find the flexibility and higher hourly rates of per-diem work more appealing, highlighting the need for thoughtful negotiation strategies that consider both monetary and non-monetary compensation.
More salary data for Riverside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Riverside in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in Riverside?
Are diagnostic medical sonographers in Riverside paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time diagnostic medical sonographer make per year in Riverside?
Do diagnostic medical sonographers earn more per hour working part-time in Riverside?
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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 Riverside. 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