Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Altoona, PA: $39.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Altoona, PA runs $39.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,320 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Altoona's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,793 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Altoona, Pennsylvania, earn a median hourly rate of $39.10. This figure falls short of the national hourly median of $48.73, suggesting that those in the profession here may face some regional pay constraints. For part-time workers operating three days a week, typically in settings like hospital ultrasound suites or outpatient imaging centers, this hourly pay translates to a stable income, especially for those balancing personal and professional commitments. The hourly range for diagnostic medical sonographers in this area spans from $29.51 for entry-level positions to as much as $51.11 for the top earners, illustrating the potential for growth within the profession. However, these rates are derived from annual salary data, which can fluctuate based on specific job roles and work environments, such as mobile imaging units or cardiology labs.
About the Altoona Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.51 | $236.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.82 | $262.58 |
| Median (P50) | $39.10 | $312.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.08 | $344.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.11 | $408.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Altoona
Based on $39.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.10/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Altoona, PA can expect to earn approximately $81,322 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,916. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Altoona.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Altoona
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,563.88 | $6,777 | $81,322 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $938.33 | $4,066 | $48,793 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $625.55 | $2,711 | $32,529 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Altoona) | $39.10 |
| 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 Altoona, PA earn a median of $81,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.76% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 3.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $84,532.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.10/hr = $48,793/year (purchasing power: $50,095).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,322/year (purchasing power: $83,492).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Altoona grew 28.6% from $28.98/hr (2019) to $37.26/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.02/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 Altoona 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 Altoona
Employment as a diagnostic medical sonographer in a part-time capacity can yield unique financial outcomes. A professional working just three days per week, for a total of 24 hours, could realistically achieve an annual take-home income significantly lower than that of full-time counterparts. In contrast, per diem arrangements provide an attractive alternative; per diem diagnostic medical sonographers in Altoona may see billing rates ranging from $55 to $80 per hour, with cardiac echo specialists commanding rates as high as $70 to $95 per hour. Furthermore, travel contracts in this field can offer weekly payouts between $2,000 and $3,200, making them appealing options for those willing to adapt to dynamic work settings. Yet, the variation in hourly rates can depend heavily on where sonographers choose to work. Different types of employers—such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, or mobile imaging companies—offer distinct pay scales, often with an inherent trade-off between benefits and hourly wages. Sonographers might find themselves negotiating salaries, and understanding the disparity in hourly rates between institutions can provide leverage when discussing compensation.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
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 Altoona. 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 Altoona 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