Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Palmdale, CA: $135,761 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Palmdale, CA earns a median $135,761/year (≈ $65.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Palmdale's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $120,036 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Palmdale, California, the landscape for diagnostic medical sonographer compensation is notably lucrative, with a projected median annual salary of $135,761, significantly surpassing the national median of $101,352 by 33.95%. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $95,677 at the P10 level to an impressive $189,381 at the P90 level. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect local estimates adjusted for regional cost variations. The pronounced earnings potential is indicative of a healthy job market in Palmdale, where specialized areas such as cardiac echo sonography often command the highest salaries, positioning those with advanced credentials for optimal remuneration.
About the Palmdale Market
Salary estimated from California average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,677 | $46.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,714 | $54.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,761 | $65.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,034 | $74.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,381 | $91.05 |
Median Salary Position
33.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palmdale
In Palmdale, CA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,704 (2026 est.). At $135,761, the local median is 33.95% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palmdale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palmdale Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Palmdale median: $135,761/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palmdale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $136,580 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +33.95% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Palmdale, CA earn a median of $135,761 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.95% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.60% below the California state average of $136,580.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palmdale has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palmdale, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,761 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,036 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,551
2025 BLS Actual
$129,382
2026 Current Est.
$135,761
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Palmdale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,551 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,695 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,132 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,968 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,147 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,352 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,382 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,761 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,454 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palmdale metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $99,551 (2019) to $129,382 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,454 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,903 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palmdale 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) | $95,677 – $112,714 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,714 – $135,761 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,761 – $155,034 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,034 – $189,381 |
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 Palmdale
Analyzing the local job market reveals that Palmdale currently employs 29 diagnostic medical sonographers. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which is above the national average, these professionals face unique financial considerations when evaluating their take-home earnings. Key employers in the area, such as hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, typically offer the most competitive salaries. The disparity in pay levels can be attributed to various factors, including specialization—cardiac sonographers tend to earn the most, followed by those in vascular and OB-GYN practices. Additionally, shift differentials, call coverage, and roles in travel sonography can further enhance earnings. For those seeking to maximize their pay in Palmdale’s market, pursuing specialized credentials (like RDCS or RVT), seeking positions that offer shift differentials, or exploring opportunities within mobile imaging companies can be promising strategies.
More salary data for Palmdale, 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 $129,382 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Palmdale 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 Palmdale 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