Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Slidell, LA: $41.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Slidell, LA runs $41.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,672 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Slidell's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,001 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Slidell, Louisiana, diagnostic medical sonographers earn a median hourly pay of $41.67, which is below the national hourly median of $48.73. This means that professionals working part-time—averaging around three days a week in various settings including hospital imaging departments, outpatient centers, and mobile imaging clinics—could expect a decent income while enjoying flexibility. The hourly pay for these specialists in Slidell ranges from $33.03 for entry-level positions to $51.70 for those in the upper tiers, providing opportunities for significant earnings based on experience and certifications such as RDMS or RDCS. This data comes from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, offering a reliable insight into the hourly compensation landscape for sonographers in the area.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.03 | $264.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.14 | $305.14 |
| Median (P50) | $41.67 | $333.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.73 | $381.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.70 | $413.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Slidell
Based on $41.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.67/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Slidell, LA can expect to earn approximately $86,669 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,001. With a cost-of-living index of 92.73 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Slidell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Slidell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,666.71 | $7,222 | $86,669 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,000.02 | $4,333 | $52,001 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $666.68 | $2,889 | $34,668 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Slidell) | $41.67 |
| 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 Slidell, LA earn a median of $86,672 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.48% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.70% above the Louisiana state average of $86,070.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.67/hr = $52,001/year (purchasing power: $56,081).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,669/year (purchasing power: $93,468).
CoL index: 92.726 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Slidell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Slidell grew 30.0% from $30.55/hr (2019) to $39.71/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.72/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 Slidell 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 Slidell
Analyzing the part-time earning potential for a diagnostic medical sonographer in Slidell reveals an interesting contrast with full-time employment. If a sonographer works 24 hours a week, they would take home around $52,000 annually, which is a solid income yet lower compared to their full-time counterparts. The per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Slidell is notably higher, with many professionals billing between $55 and $80 hourly. Specialized fields like cardiac echo offer even more lucrative per diem opportunities, with rates reaching $70 to $95 per hour. Local healthcare systems, imaging centers, and travel agencies present varied earning scenarios; while hospitals may provide employee benefits, some diagnostic sonographers choose higher hourly rates without those perks. Negotiation tactics are essential in this market, as professionals can often secure better compensations by articulating their certifications and leveraging their skills effectively.
More salary data for Slidell, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Slidell in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in Slidell?
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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 Slidell. 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, 2-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