Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Rochester, NH: $50.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Rochester, NH runs $50.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,682 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,805 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Rochester, New Hampshire, diagnostic medical sonographers earn a median hourly pay of $50.32, which surpasses the national median hourly rate of $48.73. This competitive wage reflects the professional landscape of diagnostic medical sonography and supports various employment setups such as part-time, per-diem, or agency work. Part-time sonographers working three days a week can provide essential imaging services in hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, mobile imaging vans, and cardiology echo labs while taking home a respectable hourly wage. For new entrants and those positioned at the lower end of the pay scale, hourly rates typically start around $38.06, while more experienced or specialized professionals can command up to $65.95 per hour, highlighting a significant earning potential based on experience and specialization within the field.
About the Rochester Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.06 | $304.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.38 | $347.02 |
| Median (P50) | $50.32 | $402.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.43 | $443.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.95 | $527.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $50.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.32/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NH can expect to earn approximately $104,675 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,389. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,012.98 | $8,723 | $104,675 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,207.79 | $5,234 | $62,805 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $805.19 | $3,489 | $41,870 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Rochester) | $50.32 |
| 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 Rochester, NH earn a median of $104,682 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.29% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 3.70% below the New Hampshire state average of $108,704.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.32/hr = $62,805/year (purchasing power: $58,532).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,675/year (purchasing power: $97,553).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Rochester grew 30.0% from $36.90/hr (2019) to $47.96/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.81/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Examining the earning potential for part-time diagnostic medical sonographers, those working 24 hours per week might see a take-home amount markedly lower than their full-time counterparts, reinforcing the need for consideration of hours worked for overall income stability. Per-diem opportunities can be particularly lucrative, with rates that often range from $55 to $80 per hour, and specialized cardiac echo contracts may offer even higher compensation, reaching $70 to $95 per hour. Travel sonographers can capitalize on premium contracts that pay $2,000 to $3,200 weekly, a salient factor in their choice of employment. Diverse employer types in Rochester impact pay scales, with varying compensation structures across hospital imaging departments, outpatient centers like RadNet or SimonMed, and private practices. While some sonographers may opt for lower hourly rates with guaranteed health benefits, others might prioritize higher hourly pay without such advantages. For hourly workers negotiating salaries, transparency about industry standards and showcasing specialized credentials, such as RDMS or RVT can provide leverage in obtaining favorable compensation.
More salary data for Rochester, NH:
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 Rochester. 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 Rochester 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