Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $50.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Fort Smith, AR runs $50.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,077 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $58.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,041 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Fort Smith, Arkansas, earn a median hourly rate of $50.51, surpassing the national median of $48.73. This higher rate reflects the demand for skilled professionals in various environments, including hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and OB-GYN practices. For part-time or per-diem workers, a typical schedule of three days a week allows for substantial earnings, as they can expect to receive competitive pay even at entry-level positions, with hourly rates starting around $37.54 and reaching up to $51.55 for top earners. This official BLS data for 2026 shows that diagnostic medical sonographers can enjoy a robust financial outlook in Fort Smith, given the overall upward trend in the healthcare field.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.54 | $300.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.89 | $319.16 |
| Median (P50) | $50.51 | $404.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.55 | $412.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.55 | $412.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $50.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.51/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $105,068 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,616. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,020.53 | $8,756 | $105,068 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,212.32 | $5,253 | $63,041 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $808.21 | $3,502 | $42,027 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Fort Smith) | $50.51 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $35.27 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (National Avg) | $46.68 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist (National Avg) | $33.92 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $105,077 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.68% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 19.30% above the Arkansas state average of $88,078.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.51/hr = $63,041/year (purchasing power: $73,399).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,068/year (purchasing power: $122,331).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+69.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Fort Smith grew 53.9% from $31.27/hr (2019) to $48.14/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.00/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem diagnostic medical sonographers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Smith 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.
Working as an Hourly Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Fort Smith
For diagnostic medical sonographers working part-time—say, at 24 hours each week—the annual earnings take a significant shape, translating to roughly $62,793 based on the median hourly rate. When looking at per-diem or agency opportunities, professionals often command rates between $55 and $80 per hour, with cardiac echo specialists occasionally pulling in $70 to $95 per hour. Travel contracts present even more lucrative options, with earnings that can range from $2,000 to $3,200 per week, particularly in high-demand fields like cardiology and vascular imaging. Although positions in Fort Smith vary by employer type—ranging from hospital imaging departments to outpatient centers and mobile services—the trade-offs are evident. Some sonographers may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, while others pursue higher hourly rates without the safety net of insurance. Practical negotiation can be vital; among Fort Smith employers, demonstrating specialized skills or appropriate certification can lead to better hourly pay and benefits arrangements.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for diagnostic medical sonographers in Fort Smith. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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