Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Nicholasville, KY: $42.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Nicholasville, KY runs $42.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,137 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Nicholasville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,481 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Nicholasville, Kentucky, earn a median hourly rate of $42.85, which is notably below the national median of $48.73. This difference may impact professionals seeking part-time or per-diem positions, especially in typical settings such as hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging vans. For those working three days a week, the hourly rate can translate into a reliable income, with entry-level sonographers starting at approximately $30.45 per hour while experienced practitioners can reach earnings as high as $53.80 per hour. Nonetheless, understanding the full range of compensation is crucial for those entering the field, as factors like experience and specialization can greatly influence hourly pay.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.45 | $243.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.53 | $284.23 |
| Median (P50) | $42.85 | $342.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.86 | $366.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.80 | $430.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nicholasville
Based on $42.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.85/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nicholasville, KY can expect to earn approximately $89,135 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,424. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nicholasville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nicholasville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,714.14 | $7,428 | $89,135 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,028.48 | $4,457 | $53,481 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $685.65 | $2,971 | $35,654 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Nicholasville) | $42.85 |
| 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 Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $89,137 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.05% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $90,494.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.85/hr = $53,481/year (purchasing power: $59,889).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,135/year (purchasing power: $99,815).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Nicholasville grew 30.0% from $31.42/hr (2019) to $40.84/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.97/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 Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville
For part-time sonographers in Nicholasville who work 24 hours a week, the annual take-home pay might be substantially lower compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diem diagnostic medical sonographers often leverage higher hourly rates ranging from $55 to $80, especially in specialized areas like cardiac echocardiography, where rates can escalate to between $70 and $95 per hour. Those choosing travel contracts may find lucrative opportunities, earning between $2,000 and $3,200 weekly. Hourly rates can also vary greatly based on the type of employer; for instance, outpatient imaging centers and mobile companies may offer different structures than hospital imaging departments. Some professionals might accept lower hourly wages for the trade-off of benefits like health insurance, while others may prefer the flexibility and higher rates that come with agency positions. Negotiation is key in this job market, and it’s advisable for sonographers to be well-informed about prevailing rates and their rights when discussing compensation.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Nicholasville in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in Nicholasville?
Are diagnostic medical sonographers in Nicholasville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time diagnostic medical sonographer make per year in Nicholasville?
Do diagnostic medical sonographers earn more per hour working part-time in Nicholasville?
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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 Nicholasville. 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 Nicholasville 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