Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in San Marcos, TX: $50.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in San Marcos, TX runs $50.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,241 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against San Marcos's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,145 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Marcos, Texas, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $50.60, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $48.73. This competitive hourly wage positions sonographers within various healthcare settings, including hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and specialized practices such as OB-GYN and cardiology. Part-time workers, typically employed for three days a week, can anticipate a substantial take-home income that reflects this hourly pay. For newly entered professionals, hourly rates start at approximately $35.37, reaching as high as $66.42 for top earners. These figures serve as estimations derived from projected annual salaries, emphasizing the promising financial trajectory available to those entering the field in the vibrant healthcare market of San Marcos.
About the San Marcos Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.37 | $282.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.79 | $334.35 |
| Median (P50) | $50.60 | $404.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.42 | $443.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.42 | $531.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Marcos
Based on $50.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.60/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Marcos, TX can expect to earn approximately $105,242 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,717. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in San Marcos.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Marcos
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,023.89 | $8,770 | $105,242 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,214.33 | $5,262 | $63,145 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $809.56 | $3,508 | $42,097 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (San Marcos) | $50.60 |
| 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 San Marcos, TX earn a median of $105,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.84% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 21.40% above the Texas state average of $86,689.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.60/hr = $63,145/year (purchasing power: $65,776).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,242/year (purchasing power: $109,627).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in San Marcos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in San Marcos grew 30.0% from $37.10/hr (2019) to $48.22/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.09/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 San Marcos 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 San Marcos
Evaluating the annual earnings for those working part-time reveals that a diagnostic medical sonographer with a 24-hour workweek could take home a significant annual amount, but it pales in comparison to a full-time employee's total earnings. Per-diem diagnostic medical sonographers often command rates between $55 and $80 per hour, with specialty areas like cardiac echo potentially reaching $70 to $95. When it comes to travel contracts, sonographers can earn between $2,000 and $3,200 per week, particularly in high-demand specialties like cardiac and vascular. Hourly rates invariably vary based on the type of employment, with hospitals and outpatient centers offering structured pay scales while private practices may provide flexibility at slightly lower rates, trading off benefits. Some professionals prioritize health insurance, opting for lower hourly rates over higher pay without benefits. For those negotiating hourly pay in San Marcos, presenting a clear understanding of the market rates and their specific skill set, including any specialty credentials such as RDMS or RVT, can lead to more favorable outcomes.
More salary data for San Marcos, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in San Marcos in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in San Marcos?
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How much does a full-time diagnostic medical sonographer make per year in San Marcos?
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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 San Marcos. 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 San Marcos 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