Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Wayne, NJ: $54.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Wayne, NJ runs $54.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $114,328 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Wayne's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,593 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Wayne, New Jersey can expect an hourly pay rate of $54.96 in 2026, which is notably above the national median hourly rate of $48.73. This elevated compensation reflects both the demand for skilled imaging professionals and the relatively higher cost of living in the region. With this median pay, those working part-time—such as three days a week—can earn a respectable income, beneficial for balancing work and personal commitments. Additionally, per-diem roles, often available in diverse settings like hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging vans, allow professionals to dictate their work hours. The hourly wage range varies significantly, from entry-level positions earning around $40.03 to seasoned professionals making as much as $73.89 per hour.
About the Wayne Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($94,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.03 | $320.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.24 | $361.88 |
| Median (P50) | $54.96 | $439.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.26 | $490.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.89 | $591.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wayne
Based on $54.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.96/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wayne, NJ can expect to earn approximately $114,322 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,955. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wayne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wayne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,198.49 | $9,527 | $114,322 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,319.10 | $5,716 | $68,593 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $879.40 | $3,811 | $45,729 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Wayne) | $54.96 |
| 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 Wayne, NJ earn a median of $114,328 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.80% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $116,780.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.96/hr = $68,593/year (purchasing power: $59,543).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $114,322/year (purchasing power: $99,238).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Wayne grew 30.0% from $40.30/hr (2019) to $52.38/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.67/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 Wayne 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 Wayne
For those considering part-time work, a diagnostic medical sonographer working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week would earn approximately $68,000 annually, offering a solid income versus full-time roles. The per diem work trend in Wayne has gained traction, with diagnostic medical sonographers often billing between $55-$80 per hour for general ultrasound duties, and cardiac echo sonographers commanding even higher pay rates, reaching $70-$95 per hour. Employment types also influence hourly pay rates significantly; for example, hospital imaging departments may offer different compensation structures compared to outpatient chains like RadNet or SimonMed. While some professionals choose positions with lower hourly rates for the benefits of health insurance, others may opt for higher pay without benefits in agency or travel contracts that can reach $3,200 per week. Negotiating hourly pay effectively involves understanding one's worth in this evolving marketplace and having knowledge about specialty certifications such as RDMS or RDCS that can enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Wayne, NJ:
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 Wayne. 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 Wayne 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