Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Denver, CO: $54.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Denver, CO runs $54.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $113,755 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Denver's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.8, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,253 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Denver, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $54.69 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $48.73. This favorable rate allows for substantial earnings, particularly for part-time workers who may choose to work three days a week. For those in varied settings such as hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and cardiology echo labs, the hourly wage ranges from $44.24 for entry-level positions to as high as $65.95 for experienced professionals. This data, drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reflects the competitive compensation landscape for diagnostic medical sonographers in CO, highlighting a growing demand in the field.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.24 | $353.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.60 | $404.78 |
| Median (P50) | $54.69 | $437.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.13 | $505.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.95 | $527.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denver
Based on $54.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.69/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denver, CO can expect to earn approximately $113,754 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,627. With a cost-of-living index of 105.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Denver.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denver
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,187.58 | $9,480 | $113,754 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,312.55 | $5,688 | $68,253 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $875.03 | $3,792 | $45,502 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Denver) | $54.69 |
| 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 Denver, CO earn a median of $113,755 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.24% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 1.20% above the Colorado state average of $112,406.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.69/hr = $68,253/year (purchasing power: $64,522).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $113,754/year (purchasing power: $107,536).
CoL index: 105.782 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Denver grew 23.3% from $42.27/hr (2019) to $52.12/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.39/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 Denver 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 Denver
Considering part-time roles, a diagnostic medical sonographer working 24 hours a week can expect to earn a comfortable income projected at over $68,000 annually, a significant alternative to the full-time average. Per-diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Denver often varies, with billing rates ranging from $55 to $80 per hour; cardiac echo sonographers may even command $70 to $95 per hour. Travel contracts can be particularly lucrative, pulling in between $2,000 and $3,200 weekly for high-demand specialties. However, the employment type can affect hourly rates significantly. Hospital settings typically offer more stability but may provide slightly lower pay compared to outpatient imaging centers and mobile services that often pay more for their flexibility. Trade-offs exist in employment choices; some professionals opt for lower hourly rates with employer-provided benefits, while others prioritize higher rates at the expense of job security and health insurance. For those negotiating salaries in Denver, emphasizing site-specific worth and specialty certifications can be crucial.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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 Denver. 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