Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $44.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Charlottesville, VA runs $44.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,073 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.1, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,851 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlottesville, Virginia, the projected hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer in 2026 is set at $44.75, which is slightly below the national median of $48.73. This hourly rate significantly impacts part-time and per-diem workers within various clinical environments, including hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging vans. Those seeking part-time positions—perhaps working only three days a week—can still earn a respectable income while enjoying greater flexibility. The hourly pay can vary, with entry-level sonographers starting around $34.72, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $69.84, reflecting a substantial range within Charlottesville's market.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.72 | $277.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.54 | $340.31 |
| Median (P50) | $44.75 | $358.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.51 | $444.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.84 | $558.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $44.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.75/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $93,086 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,703. With a cost-of-living index of 99.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,790.11 | $7,757 | $93,086 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,074.06 | $4,654 | $55,851 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $716.04 | $3,103 | $37,234 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Charlottesville) | $44.75 |
| 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 Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $93,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.17% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.20% above the Virginia state average of $91,969.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.75/hr = $55,851/year (purchasing power: $56,332).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,086/year (purchasing power: $93,887).
CoL index: 99.146 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Charlottesville grew 30.0% from $32.82/hr (2019) to $42.65/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.96/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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville
Choosing between full-time and per-diem work often depends on a sonographer's goals and life circumstances. For example, a part-time sonographer working 24 hours a week may take home approximately $52,740 per year, offering a comparatively attractive option to those who prioritize work-life balance. In contrast, those who work per diem can command higher rates, often billing between $55 and $80 per hour. Specialized fields, such as cardiac echo, have even higher per diem rates, reaching $70 to $95 per hour, and travel contracts may offer substantial earnings of $2,000 to $3,200 per week. Hourly rates can differ based on the type of employer: hospitals, outpatient centers, and specialized practices all present varied compensation packages. Sonographers often have to consider the trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits versus a more stable income that includes health insurance. Effective negotiation skills are pivotal in securing favorable hourly rates in Charlottesville's competitive environment.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Charlottesville in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in Charlottesville?
Are diagnostic medical sonographers in Charlottesville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time diagnostic medical sonographer make per year in Charlottesville?
Do diagnostic medical sonographers earn more per hour working part-time in Charlottesville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Charlottesville. 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, 2-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