Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Chico, CA: $62.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Chico, CA runs $62.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,987 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Chico's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.2, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $61.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,995 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers in Chico, California, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $62.50. This figure significantly surpasses the national hourly median of $48.73, reflecting the increased demand and specialized skillset required in this field. For those working part-time, such as in hospital ultrasound suites or outpatient imaging centers, this translates to a solid income, especially for sonographers operating just three days a week. The hourly compensation spans a wide range, from approximately $47.41 for entry-level positions to as much as $76.36 for experienced professionals. With the profession seeing an expected growth in jobs at an annual rate of 4.93%, the opportunities for sonographers to establish a lucrative career are promising based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.41 | $379.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.99 | $439.95 |
| Median (P50) | $62.50 | $499.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.79 | $534.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.36 | $610.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chico
Based on $62.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.50/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chico, CA can expect to earn approximately $129,992 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,996. With a cost-of-living index of 101.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chico.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chico
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,499.85 | $10,833 | $129,992 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,499.91 | $6,500 | $77,995 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $999.94 | $4,333 | $51,997 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Chico) | $62.50 |
| 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 Chico, CA earn a median of $129,987 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.25% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 4.90% below the California state average of $136,685.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.50/hr = $77,995/year (purchasing power: $77,073).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,992/year (purchasing power: $128,455).
CoL index: 101.197 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Chico grew 30.3% from $45.71/hr (2019) to $59.56/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.58/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 Chico 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 Chico
Focusing on part-time hours, a diagnostic medical sonographer working 24 hours a week in Chico can anticipate an annual take-home pay that is quite competitive compared to full-time positions. Many per diem diagnostic medical sonographers enjoy flexible schedules and can commonly bill between $55 and $80 per hour, with those specializing in cardiac echo reaching rates of $70 to $95 per hour. In addition, travel sonography contracts can offer attractive compensation, ranging from $2,000 to $3,200 per week. Hourly rates can vary significantly based on employer type; for example, those in hospital imaging departments may earn different rates than those in outpatient centers like RadNet or mobile imaging companies. As some diagnostic medical sonographers trade-off higher hourly rates for stability and benefits such as health insurance, understanding the comprehensive landscape of compensation can empower workers to negotiate effectively based on their unique circumstances and career priorities in Chico’s dynamic job market.
More salary data for Chico, 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
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 Chico. 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, 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