Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $80.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in San Francisco, CA runs $80.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $168,171 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $69.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $100,899 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Francisco, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $80.85 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $48.73. This elevated rate reflects the high demand for sonographers in various clinical settings, including hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and specialty practices like OB-GYN and cardiology. Such earnings allow part-time workers, who may typically work three days a week, to take home a substantial income. The hourly wage ranges from $47.72 for entry-level positions up to $102.98 for seasoned professionals, providing a lucrative opportunity for both full-time and per-diem staff in the competitive San Francisco market. According to projected data based on 2025 BLS OEWS stats, professionals can expect to have viable hourly options in their local practices.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.72 | $381.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.24 | $497.96 |
| Median (P50) | $80.85 | $646.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91.40 | $731.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102.98 | $823.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $80.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $80.85/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $168,165 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $97,018. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,233.94 | $14,014 | $168,165 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,940.37 | $8,408 | $100,899 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,293.58 | $5,606 | $67,266 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (San Francisco) | $80.85 |
| 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 San Francisco, CA earn a median of $168,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.93% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 23.10% above the California state average of $136,614.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $80.85/hr = $100,899/year (purchasing power: $87,273).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $168,165/year (purchasing power: $145,455).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$80.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $69.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $75.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $77.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $77.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in San Francisco grew 39.6% from $55.19/hr (2019) to $77.05/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $84.83/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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco
For those considering part-time work, a diagnostic medical sonographer working a typical three-day week, accumulating around 24 hours, would earn approximately $97,884 annually based on the current hourly rate. This is a solid income compared to full-time practitioners, but per-diem and agency opportunities present potentially higher returns. Per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in San Francisco can range from $55 to $80 per hour, with specialized roles like cardiac echo achieving rates between $70 and $95 per hour. Travel contracts also offer lucrative options, with weekly pay reaching $2,000 to $3,200 depending on location and specialty. Importantly, hourly pay scales vary considerably based on the type of employer; hospital positions typically provide more substantial benefits, while outpatient centers may offer higher rates without benefits. Consequently, some professionals must navigate the trade-offs between pay and benefits, making strategic decisions that align with their career goals and financial needs.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in San Francisco in 2026?
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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 San Francisco. 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