Sonographer Salary 2026: National, By State, By Specialty
Wondering what diagnostic medical sonographers actually earn in 2026, and how specialty and state shape pay? This page focuses on salary, BLS data, and earning growth.
Diagnostic medical sonographers (often called ultrasound techs or ultrasound technologists) use ultrasound imaging to help physicians diagnose disease, monitor pregnancies, and guide procedures. The role pairs strong pay with one of the fastest growth rates in healthcare technology.
National median pay
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program (May 2025 release):
- Median annual wage: $96,590
- 10th percentile: $67,820
- 25th percentile: $80,430
- 75th percentile: $106,930
- 90th percentile: $129,370
Source: BLS OEWS, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (29-2032), May 2025.
Pay by experience level
Using BLS percentiles as an experience proxy:
- Entry level (10th to 25th percentile): about $67,820 to $80,430 per year (BLS, May 2025).
- Mid career (around the median): about $96,590 per year (BLS, May 2025).
- Experienced (75th to 90th percentile): about $106,930 to $129,370 per year (BLS, May 2025).
New graduates of CAAHEP accredited sonography programs who pass an ARDMS exam typically start near the lower end of this range.
Pay by state
The five highest paying states for diagnostic medical sonographers per BLS OEWS, May 2025:
| Rank | State | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $128,530 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $124,430 |
| 3 | Washington | $121,340 |
| 4 | Oregon | $120,220 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $112,020 |
Lower paying states by median include Alabama ($68,180), Mississippi ($76,520), and West Virginia ($76,820). Source: BLS OEWS state data, May 2025.
How pay varies by specialty and setting
ARDMS recognizes several specialty credentials that often map to different pay bands:
- Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) with abdomen, OB/GYN, or breast specialty.
- Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) for echocardiography (adult, pediatric, or fetal echo).
- Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) for peripheral vascular and cerebrovascular imaging.
- Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer (RMSKS).
Common employment settings include hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, OB/GYN and cardiology practices, and travel contracts. Travel sonography assignments and shift differentials can lift effective hourly pay above local staff rates.
Compared to similar roles
How sonographer pay compares to nearby BLS healthcare technology occupations (May 2025 medians):
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (29-2032): $96,590
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (29-2035): $95,480
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians (29-2034): $80,110
- Surgical Technologists (29-2055): $64,650
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
How to increase your earnings
- Add a second ARDMS credential. Multi-specialty sonographers (for example, RDMS and RVT) often command higher pay.
- Move toward cardiac or vascular work. Echocardiography and vascular sonography frequently sit near the top of BLS wage distributions.
- Consider higher paying states or metros. California, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, and the D.C. metro consistently lead the BLS state tables.
- Take on lead, education, or applications specialist roles. Senior tech and clinical educator positions often pay above the 75th percentile.
- Explore travel sonography. Contract assignments with housing stipends can raise total compensation.
Job outlook: BLS projects 13.0% employment growth from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all occupations, with about 5,800 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections).
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. bls.gov/oes/current/oes292032.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034. bls.gov/emp
- American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) credentials. ardms.org
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |