Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Waterford, MI: $40.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Waterford, MI runs $40.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,078 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Waterford's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,443 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waterford, Michigan, the estimated diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay stands at $40.42, which is notably lower than the national median of $48.73. This hourly rate opens diverse opportunities for both full-time and part-time professionals. A part-time sonographer working three days a week could effectively navigate their work-life balance while enjoying reasonable compensation. The hourly range for sonographers in this area spans from $29.22 for entry-level positions to around $54.07 for top earners in specialized settings such as hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, or mobile imaging vans. These figures derive from 2026 projections based on 2025 BLS data, providing a realistic outlook for those entering or advancing in this field.
About the Waterford Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.22 | $233.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.99 | $271.89 |
| Median (P50) | $40.42 | $323.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.88 | $359.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.07 | $432.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterford
Based on $40.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.42/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterford, MI can expect to earn approximately $84,072 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,503. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,616.76 | $7,006 | $84,072 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $970.06 | $4,204 | $50,443 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $646.70 | $2,802 | $33,629 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Waterford) | $40.42 |
| 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 Waterford, MI earn a median of $84,078 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.04% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 2.40% below the Michigan state average of $86,146.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.42/hr = $50,443/year (purchasing power: $54,123).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,072/year (purchasing power: $90,206).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Waterford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Waterford grew 30.0% from $29.64/hr (2019) to $38.52/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.41/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 Waterford 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 Waterford
Focusing on the earnings potential for part-time diagnostic medical sonographers, working a 24-hour week could yield approximately $50,332 annually, a stark contrast to full-time counterparts who might earn significantly more. The realities of per diem work in Waterford reflect competitive compensation rates, often billing between $55 and $80 per hour, with cardiac echo specialists earning an even higher premium of $70 to $95 per hour. Industry variation also plays a significant role in earnings; hospital imaging departments, outpatient centers like RadNet or SimonMed, and private practices may all offer differing pay scales based on demand and specialization. Those who opt for traditional employment may trade off hourly wages for benefits like health insurance, while many pursue higher pay through agency and travel work, often taking home lucrative weekly contracts that can range from $2,000 to $3,200. When negotiating hourly pay, understanding the specific employer's compensation structure and highlighting specialized credentials, such as RDMS or RVT, can meaningfully impact earning potential.
More salary data for Waterford, MI:
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 Waterford. 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 Waterford 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