Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Sacramento, CA: $171,267 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Sacramento, CA earns a median $171,267/year (≈ $82.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $160,558 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.4% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, CA, the 2026 projected median annual compensation for a diagnostic medical sonographer is $171,267, significantly above the national median of $101,352. This salary range illustrates a robust pay gradient, with entry-level positions starting at $107,165 (P10) and seasoned professionals earning up to $197,583 (P90). Such figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicate that specialists, particularly those focusing on cardiac echo, command some of the highest salaries within the sonography field. The competitive compensation reflects the city's growing demand for skilled sonographers, driven by advancements in medical imaging technology and an increasing patient population requiring quality diagnostics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,165 | $51.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,674 | $65.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,267 | $82.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $190,207 | $91.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,583 | $94.99 |
Median Salary Position
68.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,418 (2026 est.). At $171,267, the local median is 68.98% above the national median of $101,352.
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How Sacramento Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $171,267/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $136,576 | +25.40% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +68.98% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $171,267 per year (2026 est.), which is 68.98% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 25.40% above the California state average of $136,576.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $171,267 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $160,558 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,700
2025 BLS Actual
$163,220
2026 Current Est.
$171,267
2019–2027 Growth
+47.7%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $146,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $157,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,267 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,710 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 34.1% from $121,700 (2019) to $163,220 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $179,710 by 2027 — a total increase of $58,010 (47.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $107,165 – $135,674 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,674 – $171,267 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,267 – $190,207 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $190,207 – $197,583 |
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 Sacramento
The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers is thriving in Sacramento, with approximately 610 professionals currently employed. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67, the financial landscape paints a nuanced picture of purchasing power. Many of the top-paying employers include hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, catering to a range of specialties. Factors influencing salary variations include the specific area of expertise, with cardiac sonographers typically enjoying the highest pay, followed by vascular and OB-GYN specialists. Shift differentials, call coverage, and bonuses from travel contracts also contribute to salary fluctuations. For aspiring sonographers, strategies to maximize earnings include pursuing ARDMS certifications in high-demand specialties, seeking roles in competitive environments, and considering travel assignments that often offer premium rates, thus enhancing both income and experience in this thriving Sacramento market.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 $163,220 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Sacramento 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