Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Riverside, CA: $111,079 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Riverside, CA earns a median $111,079/year (≈ $53.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Riverside's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.4), that paycheck buys what $104,356 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.7% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, the projected median annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in 2026 is estimated at $111,079, which is 9.60% higher than the national median of $101,352. The salary range for this profession in the area stretches from $64,322 at the 10th percentile to $158,046 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a robust earning potential influenced by various factors. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures highlight the competitive nature of the job market here, particularly for those specialized in high-demand areas like cardiac and vascular sonography, where travel sonography premiums can significantly enhance earnings for practitioners.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,322 | $30.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,076 | $49.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,079 | $53.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,748 | $65.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,046 | $75.99 |
Median Salary Position
9.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverside
In Riverside, CA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,724 (2026 est.). At $111,079, the local median is 9.6% above the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in Riverside: You'd be above the median
How Riverside Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Riverside median: $111,079/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverside Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $136,628 | -18.70% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +9.60% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Riverside, CA earn a median of $111,079 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.60% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 18.70% below the California state average of $136,628.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverside has a cost of living 6.44% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverside, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.442 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $111,079 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,356 — a 6.05% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,950
2025 BLS Actual
$105,860
2026 Current Est.
$111,079
2019–2027 Growth
+35.6%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,079 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,555 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverside metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 23.2% from $85,950 (2019) to $105,860 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,555 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,605 (35.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverside 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) | $64,322 – $102,076 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,076 – $111,079 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,079 – $135,748 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,748 – $158,046 |
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 Riverside
Riverside's local job market includes approximately 960 diagnostic medical sonographers, a number indicative of a thriving healthcare sector. With a cost-of-living index of 106.442, residents face slightly higher living expenses, which can affect the purchasing power of their earnings. Employers such as hospital imaging departments, outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and specialty practices in OB-GYN or cardiology tend to lead in compensation. The variation in salaries can be attributed to factors like specialty focus, shift differentials, and the premiums associated with traveling roles. For sonographers looking to maximize their pay in Riverside, pursuing advanced credentials through organizations like the ARDMS or specializing in cardiac ultrasound are effective strategies, given the strong demand for these skills in the evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Riverside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Riverside?
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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 $105,860 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Riverside 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
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