Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Wake Forest, NC: $41.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Wake Forest, NC runs $41.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,393 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Wake Forest's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,831 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wake Forest, NC, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay is positioned at a median of $41.53, which is notably lower than the national median of $48.73 for this profession. This variance in pay reflects regional economic factors and the local cost of living index, which stands at 93.6, below the national average of 100. For part-time and per-diem workers, especially those working in settings like hospital ultrasound suites or outpatient imaging centers, this hourly wage translates into a steady income, contingent on their schedules and frequency of shifts. The hourly pay range for diagnostic medical sonographers in Wake Forest extends from $30.70 at the entry-level to as much as $56.40 for top earners, illustrating the potential for growth as one gains experience and specializations, such as cardiac echo or vascular sonography.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.70 | $245.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.52 | $276.18 |
| Median (P50) | $41.53 | $332.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.62 | $372.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.40 | $451.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wake Forest
Based on $41.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.53/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wake Forest, NC can expect to earn approximately $86,385 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,838. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wake Forest.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wake Forest
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,661.25 | $7,199 | $86,385 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $996.75 | $4,319 | $51,831 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $664.50 | $2,880 | $34,554 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Wake Forest) | $41.53 |
| 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 Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $86,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.76% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $87,620.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.53/hr = $51,831/year (purchasing power: $55,375).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,385/year (purchasing power: $92,292).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Wake Forest grew 30.0% from $30.45/hr (2019) to $39.58/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.58/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 Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest
When considering the financial implications of working part-time, a diagnostic medical sonographer committing to a 3-day work week totaling 24 hours could expect to take home around $51,000 annually. This contrasts with full-time counterparts, whose financial security could be bolstered by benefits often included in salaried roles. For those opting for per-diem arrangements, the rates can significantly increase—per diem diagnostic medical sonographers can earn anywhere from $55 to $80 per hour, while specialized fields like cardiac echo may command upwards of $70 to $95 hourly. The differences in hourly rates among various employer types, encompassing hospital imaging departments and mobile imaging companies, further emphasize the trade-offs between high pay versus comprehensive health benefits. As job market dynamics evolve in Wake Forest, it is crucial for professionals to effectively negotiate their hourly rates based on the insights gained from regional compensation trends and workforce demands, tailoring their approach to the specific conditions of their employment setting.
More salary data for Wake Forest, NC:
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 Wake Forest. 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 Wake Forest 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