Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Baltimore, MD: $49.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Baltimore, MD runs $49.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,765 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Baltimore's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.5, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,255 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Baltimore, Maryland earn a median hourly rate of $49.88, which exceeds the national average of $48.73. This competitive wage allows for substantial earnings potential, especially for part-time workers who may operate three days a week. For those working in hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, or mobile imaging vans, the flexibility of per-diem work can be appealing. With an hourly range spanning from $40.84 for entry-level positions to $54.03 for top earners, this profession provides a solid opportunity for those just starting as well as seasoned professionals. The data highlighted here reflects official Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, providing an accurate picture of what one can expect in this field as of 2026.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.84 | $326.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.31 | $330.49 |
| Median (P50) | $49.88 | $399.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.73 | $405.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.03 | $432.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baltimore
Based on $49.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.88/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baltimore, MD can expect to earn approximately $103,758 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,860. With a cost-of-living index of 104.49 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Baltimore.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baltimore
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,995.35 | $8,647 | $103,758 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,197.21 | $5,188 | $62,255 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $798.14 | $3,459 | $41,503 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Baltimore) | $49.88 |
| 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 Baltimore, MD earn a median of $103,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.38% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 6.30% below the Maryland state average of $110,742.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.88/hr = $62,255/year (purchasing power: $59,581).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,758/year (purchasing power: $99,302).
CoL index: 104.487 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Baltimore grew 31.5% from $36.16/hr (2019) to $47.54/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.34/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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore
When considering part-time positions, a diagnostic medical sonographer working 24 hours per week could take home a substantial annual income compared to full-time roles. The prevalence of per-diem opportunities injects a varying dimension into the wage scenario; per-diem sonographers frequently bill between $55-$80 per hour, with cardiac echo specialists earning up to $95. Contract positions often provide even higher compensation, attracting those willing to travel for work. Hourly pay can fluctuate significantly depending on the type of employer, with hospital imaging departments, outpatient centers like RadNet, and specialty practices such as OB-GYN or cardiology offering different compensation levels. Many professionals must weigh the trade-offs of lower hourly wages that include health benefits against the appeal of higher hourly pay without those perks. Understanding these nuances is critical for optimizing one’s earning potential in this field in Baltimore.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Baltimore. 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