Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Lorain, OH: $42.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Lorain, OH runs $42.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,114 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Lorain's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,468 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Lorain, Ohio, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay stands at a median rate of $42.84, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $48.73. This compensation can impact those who work part-time or in per-diem roles within various healthcare settings, including outpatient imaging centers, hospital ultrasound suites, and even mobile imaging vans. For example, a part-time sonographer working three days a week may find their earnings well-aligned with the entry-level hourly rates, which begin around $28.67, while top earners in this field can make as much as $55.94 per hour. Overall, the diverse environments that sonographers work in, from OB-GYN exam rooms to vascular lab procedure rooms, contribute to a spectrum of pay ranges influenced by experience and specialization.
About the Lorain Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.67 | $229.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.90 | $295.23 |
| Median (P50) | $42.84 | $342.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.85 | $374.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.94 | $447.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lorain
Based on $42.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.84/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lorain, OH can expect to earn approximately $89,113 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,412. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lorain.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lorain
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,713.72 | $7,426 | $89,113 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,028.23 | $4,456 | $53,468 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $685.49 | $2,970 | $35,645 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Lorain) | $42.84 |
| 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 Lorain, OH earn a median of $89,114 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.07% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.10% above the Ohio state average of $88,144.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.84/hr = $53,468/year (purchasing power: $58,950).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,113/year (purchasing power: $98,251).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Lorain (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Lorain grew 30.0% from $31.42/hr (2019) to $40.83/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.96/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 Lorain 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 Lorain
Looking at the earning potential, a part-time diagnostic medical sonographer working 24 hours per week could realistically take home around $53,179 annually, contrasting with full-time colleagues who can expect to earn significantly more over the year. For sonographers seeking higher pay, per diem options might be appealing, with rates for agency work often ranging between $55 to $80 an hour, particularly for specialized areas like cardiac echo, where the pay can rise to $70-$95 per hour. In Lorain, various employers, such as outpatient imaging facilities and established hospital networks, may offer different rates, creating a scenario where some professionals choose to forgo higher pay for the security of health benefits. Negotiation is essential for hourly workers in this environment; knowing the average rates and understanding the trade-offs between compensation and benefits can help navigate employment offers and even bidding for travel contracts, which can offer up to $3,200 a week for cardiac sonographers.
More salary data for Lorain, 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 Lorain. 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 Lorain 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