Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Philadelphia, PA: $47.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Philadelphia, PA runs $47.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,306 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Philadelphia's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,583 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Philadelphia, the projected hourly pay for diagnostic medical sonographers stands at $47.74, slightly lower than the national median of $48.73. This competitive rate can translate to significant earnings for part-time workers, especially those in flexible roles within hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, or even mobile imaging vans. With an hourly pay range from $40.62 for entry-level positions to $58.34 for top earners, Philadelphia offers a solid earning potential across various settings such as OB-GYN exam rooms and cardiology echo labs. This data is rooted in official statistics, reflecting the overall value and demand for sonographers in the area, as well as the increasing reliance on diagnostic imaging in healthcare.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.62 | $324.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.56 | $340.48 |
| Median (P50) | $47.74 | $381.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.88 | $415.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.34 | $466.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Philadelphia
Based on $47.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.74/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Philadelphia, PA can expect to earn approximately $99,306 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,292. With a cost-of-living index of 102.55 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Philadelphia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Philadelphia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,909.73 | $8,275 | $99,306 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,145.84 | $4,965 | $59,583 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $763.89 | $3,310 | $39,722 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Philadelphia) | $47.74 |
| 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 Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $99,306 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.02% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 17.50% above the Pennsylvania state average of $84,516.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.74/hr = $59,583/year (purchasing power: $58,100).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,306/year (purchasing power: $96,833).
CoL index: 102.554 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Philadelphia grew 34.9% from $33.74/hr (2019) to $45.50/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.10/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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
When considering part-time opportunities, a diagnostic medical sonographer working three days a week for 24 hours would see a substantial annual income, albeit lower than that of full-time colleagues. Per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Philadelphia can be quite lucrative, with rates often between $55 and $80 per hour, and specialties like cardiac echo seeing up to $95. For those who opt for travel contracts, earnings can range from $2,000 to $3,200 weekly, particularly in high-demand areas such as cardiac and vascular sonography. Furthermore, hourly rates can differ widely based on employer types; for example, hospital imaging departments may offer more stability and benefits compared to private outpatient centers. Negotiating pay as an hourly worker can involve weighing the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits versus stable employment with health insurance, which can be crucial for many professionals in the field.
More salary data for Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia. 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