Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Cincinnati, OH: $42.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Cincinnati, OH runs $42.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,138 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Cincinnati's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.4, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,481 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cincinnati, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay reflects a median rate of $42.85, which is significantly lower than the national median of $48.73 for the same occupation. This rate is particularly relevant for those seeking part-time or per-diem work in various healthcare settings, including hospital ultrasound suites and outpatient imaging centers. Part-time sonographers, typically working three days a week, will find their earnings impacted directly by this hourly rate, which varies from $36.37 for entry-level positions to $53.84 for experienced professionals. Such figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight not only the state of compensation in Ohio but also the earnings potential in a competitive marketplace.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.37 | $290.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.65 | $325.20 |
| Median (P50) | $42.85 | $342.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.13 | $409.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.84 | $430.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cincinnati
Based on $42.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.85/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cincinnati, OH can expect to earn approximately $89,135 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,424. With a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cincinnati.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cincinnati
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,714.14 | $7,428 | $89,135 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,028.48 | $4,457 | $53,481 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $685.65 | $2,971 | $35,654 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Cincinnati) | $42.85 |
| 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 Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $89,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.05% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.10% above the Ohio state average of $88,168.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.85/hr = $53,481/year (purchasing power: $56,077).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,135/year (purchasing power: $93,462).
CoL index: 95.37 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Cincinnati grew 27.2% from $32.11/hr (2019) to $40.84/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.97/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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati
For diagnostic medical sonographers considering part-time roles, the financial picture can differ considerably compared to full-time work. A professional working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate would take home around $53,485 annually, allowing for a flexible schedule while still providing substantial earnings. In contrast, per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Cincinnati often ranges between $55 and $80 per hour, with cardiac echo specialists able to command even higher rates between $70 and $95 per hour. Additionally, those willing to travel may encounter lucrative contracts ranging from $2,000 to $3,200 per week, particularly in high-demand specialties like cardiac and vascular sonography. When evaluating employer types, such as hospitals versus outpatient centers, hourly rates may fluctuate, reflecting the varying benefits offered. Negotiation tactics can be vital for hourly workers, especially in regards to the balance between higher-pay and benefits, making it essential to assess the particular opportunities available in Cincinnati’s diverse healthcare environment.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
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 Cincinnati. 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