Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Champaign, IL: $50.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Champaign, IL runs $50.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,371 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Champaign's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,224 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Champaign, Illinois, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay stands at a competitive $50.66, surpassing the national hourly median of $48.73. This wage reflects not only the local demand for skilled sonographers but also the cost of living in the area, which is slightly below the national average. For those working part-time, typically three days a week, this translates to a substantial income, especially when operating in various settings like hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging units. Entry-level sonographers can expect to earn around $38.70 per hour, while experienced professionals could earn up to $60.71 per hour in Champaign, indicating a healthy pay structure that benefits both new entrants and seasoned practitioners in the field.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.70 | $309.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.70 | $309.59 |
| Median (P50) | $50.66 | $405.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.66 | $405.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.71 | $485.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Champaign
Based on $50.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.66/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Champaign, IL can expect to earn approximately $105,373 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,792. With a cost-of-living index of 92.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Champaign.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Champaign
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,026.41 | $8,781 | $105,373 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,215.84 | $5,269 | $63,224 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $810.56 | $3,512 | $42,149 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Champaign) | $50.66 |
| 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 Champaign, IL earn a median of $105,371 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.97% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 3.80% above the Illinois state average of $101,513.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.66/hr = $63,224/year (purchasing power: $68,200).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,373/year (purchasing power: $113,666).
CoL index: 92.704 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Champaign (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Champaign grew 44.9% from $33.31/hr (2019) to $48.28/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.16/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 Champaign 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 Champaign
When considering different work arrangements, part-time diagnostic medical sonographers working 24 hours a week can still take home a significant annual income, though less than their full-time counterparts. Many professionals opt for per-diem work, which offers rates ranging from $55 to $80 per hour, with cardiac echo specialists often billing between $70 and $95 per hour. Travel sonography contracts can be quite lucrative, ranging from $2,000 to $3,200 per week, particularly in cardiac and vascular roles. Hourly rates may vary based on whether one is employed in hospital imaging departments, outpatient facilities like RadNet and SimonMed, or specialty practices such as OB-GYN and cardiology. While some may choose positions with lower hourly pay that provide benefits, others pursue higher wages without health insurance coverage, reflecting a trade-off many make in this healthcare sector. Networking and negotiation are key in this competitive environment, with local knowledge around prevailing rates and employer expectations proving invaluable for success in securing favorable pay.
More salary data for Champaign, IL:
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 Champaign. 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