Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Owensboro, KY: $43.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Owensboro, KY runs $43.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,247 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Owensboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,751 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Owensboro, Kentucky, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay stands at an estimated $43.87, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $48.73. This hourly rate provides an appealing income for part-time workers, especially those committing to a schedule of three days a week, and serves well for per-diem diagnostic medical sonographers. Typical employment settings range from hospital ultrasound suites to outpatient imaging centers and OB-GYN exam rooms. The hourly pay can vary widely from $30.49 for entry-level positions to as high as $57.16 for experienced professionals, allowing flexibility in earnings depending on experience and work settings. The projections for 2026, derived from 2025 BLS data, suggest that the local market for sonographers is competitive, aligning itself with the broader trends seen across Kentucky.
About the Owensboro 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) | $30.49 | $243.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.97 | $287.76 |
| Median (P50) | $43.87 | $350.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.80 | $382.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.16 | $457.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Owensboro
Based on $43.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.87/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Owensboro, KY can expect to earn approximately $91,252 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,645. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Owensboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Owensboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,754.85 | $7,604 | $91,252 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,052.91 | $4,563 | $54,751 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $701.94 | $3,042 | $36,501 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Owensboro) | $43.87 |
| 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 Owensboro, KY earn a median of $91,247 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.97% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.80% above the Kentucky state average of $90,523.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.87/hr = $54,751/year (purchasing power: $61,312).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,252/year (purchasing power: $102,186).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Owensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Owensboro grew 21.8% from $34.34/hr (2019) to $41.81/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.03/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 Owensboro 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 Owensboro
Exploring part-time opportunities reveals that a diagnostic medical sonographer working 24 hours a week can take home a respectable annual income despite not achieving full-time status. Compared to their full-time counterparts, part-time sonographers can enjoy a better work-life balance while still earning competitively. For those in need of more flexible arrangements, per diem roles in Owensboro typically range from $55 to $80 per hour, with cardiac echo specialists commanding even higher rates between $70 and $95 per hour. Additionally, travel sonography contracts can offer weekly pay that ranges from $2,000 to $3,200. The varied landscape of employment types means that salaries actually depend on where one works, be it a hospital, outpatient center, or specialty clinic. Sonographers should consider the benefits that full-time positions offer, such as health insurance, versus the higher pay rates of per diem jobs. Negotiating hourly pay can be crucial in Owensboro, and it’s advisable to be well-informed about market rates and to leverage any advanced credentials like RDMS or RVT when discussing compensation.
More salary data for Owensboro, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Owensboro. 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 Owensboro 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