Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in El Paso, TX: $40.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in El Paso, TX runs $40.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,014 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against El Paso's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.9, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,006 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Paso, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay stands at a median of $40.87, which is notably lower than the national median of $48.73. This competitive hourly rate allows those working part-time, such as three days a week, to take home a respectable income while balancing their personal schedules. In practice settings like hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging vans, sonographers at different career stages can see hourly earnings ranging from $30.55 at entry-level positions to up to $47.61 for those in the top earnings bracket. These figures are derived from the latest projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting current market trends for this profession in El Paso.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.55 | $244.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.95 | $295.57 |
| Median (P50) | $40.87 | $326.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.73 | $357.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.61 | $380.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Paso
Based on $40.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.87/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Paso, TX can expect to earn approximately $85,010 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,044. With a cost-of-living index of 89.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Paso.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Paso
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,634.81 | $7,084 | $85,010 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $980.89 | $4,251 | $51,006 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $653.92 | $2,834 | $34,004 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (El Paso) | $40.87 |
| 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 El Paso, TX earn a median of $85,014 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.12% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.90% below the Texas state average of $86,661.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.87/hr = $51,006/year (purchasing power: $56,729).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,010/year (purchasing power: $94,548).
CoL index: 89.912 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in El Paso grew 21.9% from $31.94/hr (2019) to $38.95/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.89/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 El Paso 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 El Paso
The earning potential for a part-time diagnostic medical sonographer working a typical three-day week could amount to about $52,000 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts yet still providing a viable option for many professionals. Per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in El Paso can be more enticing, as these roles often bill $55-$80 an hour, with cardiac echo specialists earning even more, ranging from $70 to $95 per hour. Travel sonographers might see weekly contracts grossing anywhere from $2,000 to $3,200, highlighting the premium paid for specialized skills in cardiac and vascular imaging. Hourly rates also vary widely across employer types, from hospital imaging departments to outpatient centers and private practices, with many choosing benefits over higher wages. Negotiating for pay can be critical, and making the case for specialized credentials like RDMS or RVT may bolster hourly compensation.
More salary data for El Paso, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in El Paso in 2026?
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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 El Paso. 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