Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $82.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Sacramento, CA runs $82.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $171,267 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $77.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $102,759 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the hourly compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers is quite notable, with a median rate of $82.34. This figure dwarfs the national hourly median of $48.73, showcasing a significant pay advantage for local professionals. For those considering part-time work at three days a week, this median translates to a lucrative income that can vary widely, with entry-level sonographers earning around $51.52 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach up to $94.99 per hour in specialized settings like hospital ultrasound suites or cardiology echo labs. The data presented here, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlights the appealing financial landscape for diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay in Sacramento.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.52 | $412.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.22 | $521.80 |
| Median (P50) | $82.34 | $658.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91.45 | $731.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.99 | $759.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $82.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.34/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $171,264 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,806. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,293.54 | $14,272 | $171,264 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,976.13 | $8,563 | $102,759 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,317.42 | $5,709 | $68,506 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Sacramento) | $82.34 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA earn a median of $171,267 per year (2026 est.), which is 68.98% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 25.40% above the California state average of $136,576.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.34/hr = $102,759/year (purchasing power: $96,333).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $171,264/year (purchasing power: $160,555).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$58.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $70.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $64.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $66.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $75.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Sacramento grew 34.1% from $58.51/hr (2019) to $78.47/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $86.40/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
Part-time diagnostic medical sonographers, working 24 hours per week, can expect an annual income of approximately $102,089, which still represents a substantial earning potential compared to full-time counterparts. Meanwhile, those engaging in per diem roles can anticipate hourly rates ranging from $55 to $80, particularly in outpatient imaging centers like RadNet or SimonMed, while cardiac echo specialists may command between $70 and $95 per hour. Travel contracts further elevate these figures, offering weekly pay of $2,000 to $3,200 for specialized sonography roles. Employment types significantly influence hourly rates; therefore, professionals should weigh benefits, such as health insurance often favored by hospital jobs, against higher pay with more flexible schedules in agency or locum positions. In the competitive Sacramento market, negotiation becomes key; clearly articulating one's credentials, especially for those with ARDMS certifications, can substantially improve per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Sacramento.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Sacramento. 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