Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Richmond, VA: $48.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Richmond, VA runs $48.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,376 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,225 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Richmond, Virginia, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay stands at a median rate of $48.26, which is slightly lower than the national median of $48.73. This competitive hourly figure provides favorable opportunities for both part-time and per-diem professionals in various settings such as hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, mobile imaging vans, OB-GYN practices, and cardiology labs. The hourly range in Richmond spans from $40.23 for entry-level positions to as high as $51.97 for seasoned professionals, illustrating a healthy pay progression based on experience and specialty. This data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and represents 2026 projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlighting the financial viability of a career in diagnostic medical sonography in the Richmond area.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.23 | $321.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.48 | $331.83 |
| Median (P50) | $48.26 | $386.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.94 | $399.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.97 | $415.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $48.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.26/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, VA can expect to earn approximately $100,375 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,909. With a cost-of-living index of 97.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,930.29 | $8,365 | $100,375 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,158.18 | $5,019 | $60,225 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $772.12 | $3,346 | $40,150 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Richmond) | $48.26 |
| 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 Richmond, VA earn a median of $100,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.96% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 9.10% above the Virginia state average of $92,004.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.26/hr = $60,225/year (purchasing power: $61,543).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,375/year (purchasing power: $102,572).
CoL index: 97.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Richmond grew 28.6% from $35.76/hr (2019) to $45.99/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.64/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Part-time diagnostic medical sonographers working three days a week can anticipate an annual take-home salary based on the rate of $48.26 per hour, significantly impacting their financial decisions compared to full-time roles. Per diem positions present another lucrative avenue, with typical billing rates ranging from $55 to $80 per hour, while cardiac echo specialists can command upwards of $70 to $95 per hour. For travel sonographers, contracts may yield between $2,000 and $3,200 per week, especially within high-demand specialties like cardiac and vascular sonography. Notably, hourly pay can vary among different employers; hospitals typically offer stable roles, but outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, along with OB-GYN and vascular practices, may compensate at differing rates due to their operational structures. This variability often requires professionals to weigh immediate hourly benefits against the health insurance and job security that full-time roles provide. When negotiating hourly wages in Richmond, emphasizing experience and relevant certifications like RDMS or RVT can further enhance pay potential.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
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 Richmond. 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