Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Duluth, MN: $47.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Duluth, MN runs $47.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,526 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Duluth's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,714 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Duluth, Minnesota, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $47.85 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $48.73. This hourly rate offers solid earning potential for those working part-time, such as three days a week, or in per-diem roles vital in various healthcare settings, including hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging units. For sonographers just starting their careers, hourly earnings typically begin around $39.82, while experienced professionals can command rates as high as $61.57. These figures are based on official BLS hourly data and highlight the competitive nature of the field in Duluth.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.82 | $318.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.41 | $339.30 |
| Median (P50) | $47.85 | $382.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.37 | $418.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.57 | $492.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Duluth
Based on $47.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.85/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Duluth, MN can expect to earn approximately $99,524 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,418. With a cost-of-living index of 88.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Duluth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Duluth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,913.92 | $8,294 | $99,524 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,148.35 | $4,976 | $59,714 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $765.57 | $3,317 | $39,810 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Duluth) | $47.85 |
| 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 Duluth, MN earn a median of $99,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.80% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.30% below the Minnesota state average of $99,826.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.85/hr = $59,714/year (purchasing power: $67,270).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,524/year (purchasing power: $112,117).
CoL index: 88.768 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Duluth grew 20.8% from $37.76/hr (2019) to $45.60/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.21/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 Duluth 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 Duluth
Working part-time as a diagnostic medical sonographer in Duluth, someone putting in 24 hours a week could expect annual earnings approaching $60,000, a figure that competes well with many full-time positions. Per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Duluth often ranges from $55 to $80 per hour, with specialized cardiac echo sonographers seeing rates between $70 and $95 per hour. Travel contracts can be even more lucrative, with weekly pay of $2,000 to $3,200 available in cardiac and vascular roles. Salary variability exists across different employers; hospital imaging departments generally provide stability and benefits but may offer lower hourly rates compared to outpatient centers and agencies that pay a premium for flexibility. This leads many sonographers to weigh the benefits of consistent employment with health insurance against the potentially higher hourly wages available through contract work. For those negotiating hourly pay, understanding their value in the local market and researching typical rates at various facilities can significantly impact their earning potential.
More salary data for Duluth, MN:
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 Duluth. 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