Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Kirkwood, MO: $44.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Kirkwood, MO runs $44.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,140 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Kirkwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,288 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kirkwood, Missouri, the projected median hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer stands at $44.30, which is notably lower than the national median of $48.73. This discrepancy reflects not only the local cost of living but also the regional demand for these professionals. For part-time workers, typically employed around three days a week, this hourly rate offers a competitive income, especially if they are also engaged in per-diem work settings, including hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and cardiology labs. Entry-level sonographers can expect to earn around $32.05 per hour, while top earners in the field can achieve rates up to $57.90, illustrating a diverse earning potential based on experience and specialization, particularly in high-demand areas such as cardiac echography.
About the Kirkwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.05 | $256.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.10 | $296.83 |
| Median (P50) | $44.30 | $354.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.70 | $389.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.90 | $463.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kirkwood
Based on $44.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.30/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kirkwood, MO can expect to earn approximately $92,147 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,162. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kirkwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kirkwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,772.06 | $7,679 | $92,147 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,063.23 | $4,607 | $55,288 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $708.82 | $3,072 | $36,859 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Kirkwood) | $44.30 |
| 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 Kirkwood, MO earn a median of $92,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.09% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $92,883.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.30/hr = $55,288/year (purchasing power: $61,706).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,147/year (purchasing power: $102,843).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Kirkwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Kirkwood grew 30.0% from $32.49/hr (2019) to $42.22/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.49/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 Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood
For those considering part-time opportunities, a diagnostic medical sonographer working 24 hours a week can take home a substantial income over the course of a year, albeit significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Kirkwood can vary widely, with rates often ranging from $55 to $80 per hour. Especially for specialized roles, such as cardiac echo, per-diem rates can soar to $70-$95 per hour, and travel contracts provide lucrative options at $2,000-$3,200 weekly. Salaries differ across various employer types, from hospitals to mobile imaging companies, affecting overall compensation packages. Some professionals may opt for lower hourly rates that include health insurance benefits, while others prioritize higher pay without benefits. Ultimately, negotiating pay in Kirkwood requires an understanding of these dynamics and clear articulation of one’s qualifications, particularly specialized credentials like RDMS or RVT, to secure the best possible hourly rate in this competitive field.
More salary data for Kirkwood, MO:
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 Kirkwood. 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 Kirkwood 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