Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Santa Monica, CA: $66.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Santa Monica, CA runs $66.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,093 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Santa Monica's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,854 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Monica, California, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect an hourly rate of $66.39, significantly higher than the national median of $48.73. This advantageous pay scale reflects the competitive job market in the region, where part-time sonographers working three days per week can earn substantial income while maintaining flexible schedules. The per-diem work setting is also popular, allowing professionals to pick up shifts in various environments such as outpatient imaging centers, hospital ultrasound suites, and cardiology practices. The hourly range for this profession varies from approximately $46.36 for entry-level positions to about $86.66 for top earners, providing a lucrative pathway for both seasoned professionals and newcomers alike.
About the Santa Monica 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) | $46.36 | $370.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.65 | $437.18 |
| Median (P50) | $66.39 | $531.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.59 | $580.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.66 | $693.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Monica
Based on $66.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.39/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Monica, CA can expect to earn approximately $138,090 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,667. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Monica.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Monica
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,655.57 | $11,507 | $138,090 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,593.34 | $6,904 | $82,854 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,062.23 | $4,603 | $55,236 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Santa Monica) | $66.39 |
| 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 Santa Monica, CA earn a median of $138,093 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.25% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 1.10% above the California state average of $136,591.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.39/hr = $82,854/year (purchasing power: $73,257).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,090/year (purchasing power: $122,095).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Santa Monica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Santa Monica grew 30.0% from $48.68/hr (2019) to $63.27/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.66/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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica
The earning potential for part-time diagnostic medical sonographers can be illuminating. For those opting to work just three days a week, taking home about $66,000 annually is achievable, contrasting sharply with a full-time scenario. Per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Santa Monica typically ranges from $55 to $80 per hour, with the potential for cardiac echo specialists to earn even higher rates between $70 and $95 an hour. Moreover, travel contracts can yield earnings of $2,000 to $3,200 a week, particularly appealing for those specializing in cardiac and vascular sonography. The type of employer influences hourly wages as well, with hospital imaging departments often paying more than private outpatient centers. Nevertheless, some sonographers might accept lower wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, making negotiation skills particularly crucial for those navigating the market in Santa Monica, CA.
More salary data for Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica. 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 Santa Monica 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