Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $47.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Houston, TX runs $47.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,788 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,872 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers in Houston, TX, command a median hourly pay of $47.97, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $48.73. This competitive hourly pay can provide significant financial benefits to part-time workers, those averaging three days a week, and per-diem professionals. Working in diverse settings such as hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, mobile imaging vans, and cardiology labs allows these professionals the flexibility to manage their work-life balance while earning a solid income. Entry-level sonographers in Houston can expect around $35.99 per hour, while those at the top of the pay scale can earn up to $53.72 per hour, showcasing a healthy range for various experience levels and specialties across the city's robust healthcare landscape.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.99 | $287.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.43 | $331.41 |
| Median (P50) | $47.97 | $383.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.75 | $406.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.72 | $429.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $47.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.97/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $99,786 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,569. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,918.96 | $8,315 | $99,786 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,151.38 | $4,989 | $59,872 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $767.58 | $3,326 | $39,914 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Houston) | $47.97 |
| 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 Houston, TX earn a median of $99,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.54% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 15.10% above the Texas state average of $86,697.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.97/hr = $59,872/year (purchasing power: $60,704).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,786/year (purchasing power: $101,173).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Houston grew 31.3% from $34.83/hr (2019) to $45.72/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.34/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 Houston 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 Houston
For those considering a part-time schedule, a diagnostic medical sonographer working 24 hours a week might take home around $46,400 annually, significantly less than a full-time employee but still a viable option given the flexibility it offers. Per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Houston varies widely, with many professionals billing anywhere from $55 to $80 per hour, with cardiac echo sonographers often reaching even higher, between $70 and $95 per hour. Travel contracts can further enhance earnings, with weekly pay exceeding $2,000 for those willing to work across locations. Additionally, hourly rates differ among employer types; hospital imaging departments may offer lower rates compared to specialized outpatient clinics or mobile imaging companies. Many diagnostic medical sonographers face the trade-off of accepting lower hourly wages for the benefits of health insurance, while others prioritize higher hourly rates even if that means foregoing benefits. In negotiating rates, professionals should emphasize their specialty credentials and experience, particularly in high-demand areas such as cardiac echo or vascular sonography, to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
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 Houston. 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