Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Wheaton, IL: $47.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Wheaton, IL runs $47.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,772 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Wheaton's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,858 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Wheaton, Illinois, can expect a median hourly pay of $47.96, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $48.73. This hourly rate indicates a strong earning potential, especially for those working part-time or per-diem. For instance, a sonographer working three days a week could earn an estimated $3,155 each month, allowing for a viable income while maintaining flexible schedules typically found in hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and specialized clinical settings. The hourly range here spans from $35.21 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $64.84 for top earners, with substantial opportunities for increased pay through further specialization, particularly in cardiac and vascular sonography.
About the Wheaton Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.21 | $281.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.73 | $325.87 |
| Median (P50) | $47.96 | $383.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.66 | $429.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.84 | $518.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheaton
Based on $47.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.96/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheaton, IL can expect to earn approximately $99,764 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,556. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheaton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheaton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,918.54 | $8,314 | $99,764 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,151.12 | $4,988 | $59,858 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $767.42 | $3,325 | $39,906 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Wheaton) | $47.96 |
| 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 Wheaton, IL earn a median of $99,772 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.56% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.70% below the Illinois state average of $101,497.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.96/hr = $59,858/year (purchasing power: $61,646).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,764/year (purchasing power: $102,744).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Wheaton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Wheaton grew 30.0% from $35.17/hr (2019) to $45.71/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.33/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 Wheaton 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 Wheaton
Engaging in part-time work as a diagnostic medical sonographer can yield considerable annual income. A typical 3-day workweek results in approximately $75,720 in earnings, offering an option for those balancing personal commitments or pursuing further education. For those seeking higher rates, per-diem and locum positions present a compelling alternative. In Wheaton, per diem diagnostic medical sonographers generally earn between $55 and $80 per hour, with specialized roles such as cardiac echo sonographers potentially commanding rates as high as $70 to $95 per hour. Travel contracts in the region can offer even more attractive weekly pay, ranging from $2,000 to $3,200, reflecting market demand in various healthcare settings, from hospitals to mobile imaging companies. It's common for diagnostic medical sonographers to face a trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits and a lower rate that includes health insurance; therefore, effective negotiation strategies become vital, such as emphasizing specialization credentials from ARDMS or discussing the demand within outpatient facilities like RadNet and SimonMed.
More salary data for Wheaton, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Wheaton in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in Wheaton?
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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 Wheaton. 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 Wheaton 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