Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Columbus, OH: $42.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Columbus, OH runs $42.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,351 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,010 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbus, Ohio, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay is projected to be $42.48 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $48.73 per hour. This wage provides a solid foundation for those in part-time or per-diem roles, particularly in varied clinical settings such as hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and OB-GYN exam rooms. With entry-level sonographers starting at approximately $32.76 per hour and experienced professionals potentially earning as much as $51.35, the hourly range reflects diverse opportunities throughout the city. Official BLS data indicates that this competitive pay range will attract individuals seeking flexibility in their work schedules, which can often include a three-day workweek to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.76 | $262.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.84 | $326.71 |
| Median (P50) | $42.48 | $339.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.17 | $401.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.35 | $410.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $42.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.48/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, OH can expect to earn approximately $88,349 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,971. With a cost-of-living index of 95.47 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,699.03 | $7,362 | $88,349 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,019.42 | $4,417 | $53,010 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $679.61 | $2,945 | $35,340 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Columbus) | $42.48 |
| 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 Columbus, OH earn a median of $88,351 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.83% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.20% above the Ohio state average of $88,175.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.48/hr = $53,010/year (purchasing power: $55,525).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,349/year (purchasing power: $92,542).
CoL index: 95.469 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Columbus grew 23.5% from $32.78/hr (2019) to $40.48/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.57/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
Examining the financial prospects for part-time sonographers working 24 hours weekly, a significant annual take-home income highlights the attractiveness of this role. Compared to full-time sonographers, part-time workers can expect varied incomes influenced heavily by employer type; hospitals generally offer stability and benefits, while outpatient imaging centers might provide slightly lower rates with potential for more flexible schedules. Per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Columbus often reaches between $55 and $80 per hour, with specialized roles in cardiac echo commanding up to $95 per hour. Furthermore, travel contracts offer lucrative opportunities with weekly earnings ranging from $2,000 to $3,200, particularly for professionals with niche skills like vascular or cardiac echo sonography. Those weighing hourly rates might consider the trade-off between potentially higher pay without benefits versus the stability of a full-time position. Negotiation in such a competitive job market can be key; understanding the going rates and leveraging certifications from bodies like the ARDMS can provide crucial bargaining power.
More salary data for Columbus, 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 Columbus. 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