Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Vallejo, CA: $179,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Vallejo, CA earns a median $179,609/year (≈ $86.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Vallejo's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $165,570 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 31.5% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Vallejo, California command an impressive median annual salary of $179,609, significantly above the national median of $101,352, as projected for 2026. This remarkable pay is reflective of the structural dynamics of healthcare in the area, particularly the interplay between hospital settings and outpatient imaging chains like RadNet and SimonMed. With a salary range spanning from $70,681 at the lower end to $215,621 for top earners, the prospective earnings in Vallejo stand as a compelling incentive for professionals entering this field. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, which highlight the strong demand for sonographers in the region and suggest a competitive job market for these skilled technicians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,681 | $33.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $147,511 | $70.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $179,609 | $86.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $215,621 | $103.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,621 | $103.66 |
Median Salary Position
77.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vallejo
In Vallejo, CA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $144,940 (2026 est.). At $179,609, the local median is 77.21% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vallejo: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Vallejo Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Vallejo median: $179,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vallejo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $136,585 | +31.50% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +77.21% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Vallejo, CA earn a median of $179,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 77.21% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 31.50% above the California state average of $136,585.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vallejo has a cost of living 8.48% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vallejo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 108.479 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $179,609 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $165,570 — a 7.82% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$135,290
2025 BLS Actual
$171,170
2026 Current Est.
$179,609
2019–2027 Growth
+39.3%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Vallejo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $135,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $161,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $189,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $171,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $179,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $188,463 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vallejo metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 26.5% from $135,290 (2019) to $171,170 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $188,463 by 2027 — a total increase of $53,173 (39.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vallejo 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) | $70,681 – $147,511 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $147,511 – $179,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $179,609 – $215,621 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $215,621 – $215,621 |
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 Vallejo
The local job market features about 140 diagnostic medical sonographers, indicating a stable demand for their expertise in various sectors, including hospital imaging departments and private practices. Vallejo’s cost of living index of 108.479, which surpasses the national average, underscores the importance of maximizing earnings for working professionals. While specialized settings such as cardiac, vascular, and OB-GYN practices tend to offer higher pay, understanding the unique factors that contribute to salary disparities can be critical for job seekers. Shift differentials, call coverage, and specialized certifications can significantly boost earning potential. For those navigating their careers in the sonography field, pursuing further credentials from ARDMS, particularly in cardiac echo, is advisable to enhance their market value and increase their salary prospects amid an evolving healthcare landscape in Vallejo, CA.
More salary data for Vallejo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Vallejo, CA in 2026?
Is Vallejo, CA a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Vallejo?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Vallejo?
How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make per hour in Vallejo?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $171,170 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Vallejo 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