Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $52.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Chicago, IL runs $52.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $108,162 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,900 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay reaches a median of $52.00, positioning it favorably above the national hourly median of $48.73. This competitive pay scale significantly benefits those working part-time or per-diem arrangements, particularly in settings like hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and cardiology labs, among others. For instance, a part-time sonographer working three days a week could earn a substantial income, especially given the hourly range that spans from $41.70 for entry-level positions to $62.55 for top earners. Such lucrative hourly pay showcases the value of diagnostic medical sonographers in Chicago, affirming their critical contributions to patient care based on the projections from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.70 | $333.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.21 | $377.66 |
| Median (P50) | $52.00 | $416.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.92 | $455.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.55 | $500.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $52.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.00/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $108,167 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,404. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,080.13 | $9,014 | $108,167 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,248.08 | $5,408 | $64,900 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $832.05 | $3,606 | $43,267 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Chicago) | $52.00 |
| 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 Chicago, IL earn a median of $108,162 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.72% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 6.50% above the Illinois state average of $101,560.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.00/hr = $64,900/year (purchasing power: $62,648).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $108,167/year (purchasing power: $104,413).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$38.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Chicago grew 30.3% from $38.04/hr (2019) to $49.56/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.57/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 Chicago 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 Chicago
Exploring the earnings of part-time diagnostic medical sonographers reveals another layer of income potential. A professional working a 24-hour week could take home over $66,000 annually while maintaining a desirable work-life balance. Per-diem roles offer additional flexibility, attracting many professionals; these positions often allow billing rates between $55-$80/hour, with cardiac echo specialists commanding even higher rates of $70-$95/hour. Travel contracts add to the allure, with sonographers earning between $2,000 and $3,200 per week, depending on their specialty. Hourly compensation varies across employer types in Chicago, from hospitals to mobile imaging services. Some sonographers choose lower hourly rates within outpatient facilities for the stability of health insurance benefits, while others opt for more lucrative options without benefits. Negotiating rates in this market is critical, empowering professionals to secure competitive compensation reflective of their qualifications within a dynamic job landscape.
More salary data for Chicago, 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 Chicago. 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