Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in San Francisco, CA: $168,171 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in San Francisco, CA earns a median $168,171/year (≈ $80.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $145,460 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.1% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $168,171, diagnostic medical sonographers in San Francisco, CA, enjoy a significant pay advantage compared to the national median of $101,352, marking a 65.93% increase. The comprehensive salary range spans from $99,264 at the 10th percentile to $214,204 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential for lucrative earnings in this profession. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures reflect the competitive nature of the job market in the Bay Area, where specialties such as cardiac sonography command higher wages. This premium placement for cardiac and vascular specialists further highlights the nuanced financial landscape for medical sonographers in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,264 | $47.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,463 | $62.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,171 | $80.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $190,123 | $91.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,204 | $102.98 |
Median Salary Position
65.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,940 (2026 est.). At $168,171, the local median is 65.93% above the national median of $101,352.
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How San Francisco Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $168,171/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $136,614 | +23.10% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +65.93% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $168,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.93% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 23.10% above the California state average of $136,614.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $168,171 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $145,460 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,790
2025 BLS Actual
$160,270
2026 Current Est.
$168,171
2019–2027 Growth
+53.7%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $161,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $160,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,171 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,462 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 39.6% from $114,790 (2019) to $160,270 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,462 by 2027 — a total increase of $61,672 (53.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $99,264 – $129,463 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,463 – $168,171 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,171 – $190,123 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $190,123 – $214,204 |
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 Francisco
A strong job market, with around 1,300 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the area, underlines the demand for these professionals. However, the cost-of-living index of 115.613 indicates that while salaries may be higher than average, everyday expenses reflect a similar elevation. Employers such as major hospital imaging departments and outpatient chains like RadNet tend to offer the most competitive pay, particularly for specialized roles in cardiology and vascular surgery. Additional factors such as shift differentials, call coverage, and premiums for travel sonography significantly expand the salary range. For those seeking to maximize their earning potential in San Francisco, pursuing advanced credentials through the ARDMS, specializing in high-demand areas like cardiac echo, and considering opportunities in mobile and travel sonography can lead to enhanced financial prospects in this vibrant market.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $160,270 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the San Francisco 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