Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Rochester, NY: $41.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Rochester, NY runs $41.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,116 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 97.0, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,674 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Rochester, NY, earn a median hourly pay of $41.41, which is notably lower than the national median of $48.73. This difference suggests that while opportunities are available across various settings such as hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging units, the hourly earning potential in Rochester may lead professionals to pursue part-time work or per-diem opportunities. With an hourly range from $38.10 for entry-level positions to $51.85 for top earners, those in the field can find flexible employment strategies, allowing them to balance between work-life commitments and financial needs. The data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures projected to 2026, offering insight into local compensation trends for this essential medical profession.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.10 | $304.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.46 | $315.71 |
| Median (P50) | $41.41 | $331.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.94 | $391.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.85 | $414.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $41.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.41/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NY can expect to earn approximately $86,123 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,686. With a cost-of-living index of 97.03 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,656.22 | $7,177 | $86,123 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $993.73 | $4,306 | $51,674 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $662.49 | $2,871 | $34,449 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Rochester) | $41.41 |
| 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, NY earn a median of $86,116 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.03% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 16.00% below the New York state average of $102,519.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.41/hr = $51,674/year (purchasing power: $53,253).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,123/year (purchasing power: $88,755).
CoL index: 97.035 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.8%
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 | $34.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Rochester grew 13.4% from $34.80/hr (2019) to $39.46/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.45/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
When considering part-time work, a diagnostic medical sonographer employed for three days a week can realistically earn approximately $56,000 annually, a figure significantly below the full-time average. For those interested in per diem roles, the reality can be quite different; they often command rates between $55 and $80 per hour, particularly in specialized areas like cardiac echo, where pay can reach $70-$95 per hour. Travel sonography contracts also offer robust compensation, sometimes running from $2,000 to $3,200 per week. Employers in Rochester, including hospitals and outpatient centers, vary in their pay structures, often offering lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance benefits, while more flexible arrangements might lack such perks. For negotiators, those looking to maximize their hourly rate should be aware of market trends and willing to discuss compensation based on specialty credentials such as RDCS and RVT, particularly for high-demand roles in cardiac and vascular sonography.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
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
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