Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in San Diego, CA: $136,021 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in San Diego, CA earns a median $136,021/year (≈ $65.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $121,570 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect a median salary of $136,021 in San Diego, far exceeding the national median of $101,352 by 34.21%. The salary range for professionals in this field varies significantly, with the 10th percentile earning approximately $68,509, while those at the 90th percentile can command up to $176,345. These figures stem from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected for the following year. San Diego's unique market dynamics and the prevalence of travel sonography contribute to its competitive compensation levels, particularly benefiting cardiac and vascular specialists. This city’s robust healthcare infrastructure continues to create lucrative opportunities for diagnostic medical sonographers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,509 | $32.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,991 | $52.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,021 | $65.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,436 | $74.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,345 | $84.78 |
Median Salary Position
34.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,836 (2026 est.). At $136,021, the local median is 34.21% above the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be above the median
How San Diego Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
San Diego median: $136,021/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $136,567 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +34.21% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in San Diego, CA earn a median of $136,021 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.21% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.40% below the California state average of $136,567.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,021 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,570 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,400
2025 BLS Actual
$129,630
2026 Current Est.
$136,021
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,021 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,727 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 29.1% from $100,400 (2019) to $129,630 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,727 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,327 (42.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $68,509 – $108,991 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,991 – $136,021 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,021 – $154,436 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,436 – $176,345 |
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 San Diego
Evaluating the local job market, approximately 720 diagnostic medical sonographers are currently employed in San Diego, lending strength to the workforce in an area with a cost of living index of 111.887, indicating above-average living expenses. Employers that typically offer the highest salaries include hospital imaging departments, outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, as well as cardiology and vascular surgery practices. The variance in pay stems from several factors: specialized skillsets (with cardiac sonographers often earning the most), call coverage shifts, and additional income from travel agencies. To maximize earning potential in this thriving market, professionals should seek advanced certifications and actively engage with lucrative specialties, enhancing their appeal to employers seeking top talent in San Diego, CA.
More salary data for San Diego, 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 $129,630 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the San Diego 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