Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Sioux City, IA: $41.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Sioux City, IA runs $41.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,465 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Sioux City's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,281 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

With a projected hourly pay of $41.09 in Sioux City, IA, diagnostic medical sonographers are earning significantly less than the national median of $48.73 per hour. This pay structure can influence the choices of part-time and per-diem workers, who often find themselves navigating a variety of work environments, such as hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging vans. For those working part-time—approximately three days a week—hourly compensation facilitates flexible scheduling and the ability to balance personal commitments while still providing significant income. Entry-level sonographers can expect to make around $34.01 per hour, whereas top earners in the region can reach up to $48.76 per hour, showcasing the range available based on experience and specific employment settings.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.01 | $272.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.95 | $319.57 |
| Median (P50) | $41.09 | $328.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.40 | $339.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.76 | $390.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux City
Based on $41.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.09/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux City, IA can expect to earn approximately $85,468 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,309. With a cost-of-living index of 86.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,643.62 | $7,122 | $85,468 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $986.17 | $4,273 | $51,281 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $657.45 | $2,849 | $34,187 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Sioux City) | $41.09 |
| 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 Sioux City, IA earn a median of $85,465 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.68% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $86,944.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.09/hr = $51,281/year (purchasing power: $59,316).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,468/year (purchasing power: $98,860).
CoL index: 86.454 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Sioux City grew 26.4% from $30.97/hr (2019) to $39.16/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.12/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 Sioux City 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 Sioux City
For a diagnostic medical sonographer working part-time, such as 24 hours a week, their annual earnings will typically reflect decreased healthcare benefits but offer flexibility in scheduling. At full-time hours, which generally equate to 40-hour weeks, sonographers can earn higher total yearly compensation, but part-time options like this allow practitioners to manage other commitments. Moreover, per diem and contract sonographers frequently command rates between $55 and $80 per hour, with cardiac echo specialists earning even more, typically between $70 and $95 per hour. Agencies focused on travel positions can provide lucrative contracts ranging from $2,000 to $3,200 weekly, especially in specialized fields like vascular sonography. Differences in hourly pay across employer types in Sioux City—from hospital imaging departments to outpatient centers—demonstrate that while some positions offer stability and benefits, others may present higher immediate compensation without the security of full-time benefits. Strategic negotiation can aid those seeking employment in this arena, emphasizing the importance of considering total compensation packages, including health benefits, alongside hourly rates.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Sioux City in 2026?
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Career Resources
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 Sioux City. 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