Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Ellicott City, MD: $53.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Ellicott City, MD runs $53.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $111,253 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Ellicott City's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,747 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ellicott City, Maryland, the projected diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay for 2026 is $53.48, significantly surpassing the national median of $48.73. This hourly rate opens up various opportunities for both part-time and per-diem sonographers. For those working three days a week, the potential to earn a substantial income in setting such as hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging vans becomes a practical reality. With salaries ranging from $36.85 at the entry-level to approximately $69.26 at the high end of the scale, diagnostic medical sonographers in this market can expect competitive compensation reflective of their expertise. While these hourly rates derive from annual salary data, they provide valuable insights into the financial landscape for professionals in this critical healthcare role.
About the Ellicott City Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.85 | $294.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.61 | $348.87 |
| Median (P50) | $53.48 | $427.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.03 | $464.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.26 | $554.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ellicott City
Based on $53.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.48/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ellicott City, MD can expect to earn approximately $111,244 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,179. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ellicott City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ellicott City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,139.31 | $9,270 | $111,244 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,283.59 | $5,562 | $66,747 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $855.73 | $3,708 | $44,498 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Ellicott City) | $53.48 |
| 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 Ellicott City, MD earn a median of $111,253 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.77% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.40% above the Maryland state average of $110,810.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.48/hr = $66,747/year (purchasing power: $61,067).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $111,244/year (purchasing power: $101,779).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Ellicott City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Ellicott City grew 30.0% from $39.22/hr (2019) to $50.97/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.12/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 Ellicott City 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 Ellicott City
Examining the part-time and per-diem earning potential reveals that sonographers working 24 hours a week might enjoy a more balanced lifestyle while still reaping financial rewards. For instance, these professionals would take home significantly less than their full-time counterparts, but the flexibility may be worth the trade-off. Per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Ellicott City commonly ranges from $55 to $80 per hour, with specialized roles in cardiac echo reaching even higher figures of $70 to $95 per hour. This flexibility encourages many sonographers to assess job offers based on whether they include health benefits alongside hourly rates. As various employers, including hospitals, outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and mobile imaging companies, offer differing hourly rates, it becomes crucial for prospective employees to negotiate effectively. They should weigh the benefits of health insurance against potentially higher hourly wages without benefits when discussing compensation packages.
More salary data for Ellicott City, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Ellicott City in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in Ellicott City?
Are diagnostic medical sonographers in Ellicott City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time diagnostic medical sonographer make per year in Ellicott City?
Do diagnostic medical sonographers earn more per hour working part-time in Ellicott City?
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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 Ellicott City. 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 Ellicott City 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