Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Baton Rouge, LA: $39.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Baton Rouge, LA runs $39.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,982 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Baton Rouge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,186 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baton Rouge, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay is projected to be $39.41 in 2026, which sits below the national median of $48.73. This hourly wage translates into a realistic compensation scenario for part-time and per-diem workers, allowing them to find opportunities across a range of environments like hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging van settings. Within this market, the hourly rate can vary significantly from $31.21 for entry-level positions to approximately $48.70 for experienced sonographers at the top of their field. These figures highlight the competitive landscape for diagnostic medical sonographers in LA, as outlined in the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) documentation based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.21 | $249.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.92 | $271.39 |
| Median (P50) | $39.41 | $315.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.92 | $367.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.70 | $389.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baton Rouge
Based on $39.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.41/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baton Rouge, LA can expect to earn approximately $81,976 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,294. With a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Baton Rouge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baton Rouge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,576.47 | $6,831 | $81,976 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $945.88 | $4,099 | $49,186 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $630.59 | $2,733 | $32,791 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Baton Rouge) | $39.41 |
| 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 Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $81,982 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.11% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 4.70% below the Louisiana state average of $86,025.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.41/hr = $49,186/year (purchasing power: $54,181).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,976/year (purchasing power: $90,302).
CoL index: 90.78 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Baton Rouge grew 12.3% from $33.44/hr (2019) to $37.56/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.35/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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge
Focusing on the earning potential for part-time diagnostic medical sonographers, those working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can anticipate an annual income around $49,000, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Baton Rouge often commands rates between $55 and $80 per hour, with cardiac echo specialists earning a premium of $70 to $95 per hour. Furthermore, travel sonography contracts can lead to earnings of $2,000 to $3,200 per week, particularly in high-demand areas like cardiac and vascular imaging. Different employer types affect hourly rates; employees in hospital imaging departments, outpatient facilities like RadNet or SimonMed, and specialty practices may see varied pay scales. Some sonographers may opt for lower hourly rates for steady employment with health benefits, while others might prefer the higher pay but sacrifice job security. Negotiation tips include understanding the local market’s standard rates and articulating your specialty credentials, such as RDMS, which can give leverage in discussions with potential employers.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Baton Rouge in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in Baton Rouge?
Are diagnostic medical sonographers in Baton Rouge paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time diagnostic medical sonographer make per year in Baton Rouge?
Do diagnostic medical sonographers earn more per hour working part-time in Baton Rouge?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 Baton Rouge. 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