Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Brea, CA: $129,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Brea, CA earns a median $129,631/year (≈ $62.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $114,616 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Brea, California, can expect a median annual compensation of $129,631 in 2026, significantly higher than the national figure of $101,352, showcasing a local premium that is particularly beneficial for those in specialized fields like cardiac and vascular sonography. The projected salary range spans from $94,853 at the 10th percentile to $170,537 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in this thriving market. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional cost of living, suggest that Brea offers a competitive landscape for sonographers, with a growing demand driven by advancements in imaging technology and a need for skilled professionals in various healthcare settings.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,853 | $45.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,466 | $52.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,631 | $62.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,490 | $68.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,537 | $81.99 |
Median Salary Position
27.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,684 (2026 est.). At $129,631, the local median is 27.9% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Brea median: $129,631/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $136,597 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +27.90% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Brea, CA earn a median of $129,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.90% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 5.10% below the California state average of $136,597.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,631 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,616 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,056
2025 BLS Actual
$123,540
2026 Current Est.
$129,631
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,056 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,103 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,431 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,048 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,038 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,021 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $95,056 (2019) to $123,540 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,021 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,965 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $94,853 – $109,466 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,466 – $129,631 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,631 – $143,490 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,490 – $170,537 |
DMS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual diagnostic medical sonographer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Job Market in Brea
Employers in Brea hiring diagnostic medical sonographers typically include hospital imaging departments, outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, as well as OB-GYN and cardiology practices. With only 10 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the area, the job market remains tight, which may contribute to competitive pay scales. The cost of living index in Brea stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are higher than national averages, the purchasing power is impacted by overall living expenses. To maximize earnings, sonographers should consider specializing in high-demand areas such as cardiac echo or vascular sonography, seeking roles that offer shift differentials or lead/pay supervisor positions. Additionally, exploring travel sonography opportunities can yield premiums that further enhance total compensation in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $123,540 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Brea metropolitan area. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea 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