Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in East Honolulu, HI: $118,529 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in East Honolulu, HI earns a median $118,529/year (≈ $56.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in East Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $99,354 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In East Honolulu, the compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers reflects a sizeable median annual salary of $118,529, which exceeds the national average by 16.95%. This pay level indicates the stronger financial incentives present in the local job market, with a salary range extending from $82,928 at the 10th percentile to $159,501 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, account for local cost of living adjustments, which typically puts significant pressure on medical professionals. The competitive salaries can largely be attributed to the structural divide between hospital imaging departments and outpatient clinics, which tend to pay differently based on the volume of procedures and the complexity of cases handled, creating lucrative opportunities for those entering this rewarding field.
About the East Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($104,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,928 | $39.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,562 | $46.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,529 | $56.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,102 | $60.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,501 | $76.68 |
Median Salary Position
16.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Honolulu
In East Honolulu, HI, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,573 (2026 est.). At $118,529, the local median is 16.95% above the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in East Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Honolulu Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
East Honolulu median: $118,529/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $120,948 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +16.95% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in East Honolulu, HI earn a median of $118,529 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.95% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $120,948.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,529 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,354 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,916
2025 BLS Actual
$112,960
2026 Current Est.
$118,529
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in East Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,916 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,787 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,915 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,137 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,786 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,626 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,529 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,372 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Honolulu metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $86,916 (2019) to $112,960 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,372 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,456 (43.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Honolulu 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) | $82,928 – $97,562 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,562 – $118,529 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,529 – $126,102 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,102 – $159,501 |
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 East Honolulu
The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in East Honolulu shows promise, with only 12 professionals currently employed in the area, highlighting a tight-knit community of practitioners. However, the high cost of living, reflected in a Cost of Living Index of 119.3, complicates effective purchasing power for healthcare workers. Employers in this region, particularly those in hospital imaging departments, often offer better pay than outpatient chains like RadNet and SimonMed. The variance in compensation can be attributed to a variety of factors, including specialty focus—cardiac echo professionals tend to earn the highest salaries, followed by vascular and OB-GYN sonographers. Clinical roles that include shift differentials, travel sonography assignments, and supervisory positions can further elevate pay levels. For aspiring sonographers aiming to optimize their earnings, seeking positions that emphasize specialty training, like obtaining RDCS or RVT credentials, and pursuing employment in high-demand areas are pragmatic strategies for enhancing their career prospects in this vibrant market.
More salary data for East Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in East Honolulu, HI in 2026?
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in East Honolulu?
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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 $112,960 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the East Honolulu 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
Salary data for East Honolulu is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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