Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Merrillville, IN: $40.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Merrillville, IN runs $40.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,047 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Merrillville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,430 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Merrillville, Indiana, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $40.41 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $48.73. This hourly rate reflects a compensation structure that can accommodate both part-time and per-diem arrangements. For example, those working three days a week, typically clocking in around 24 hours, can expect their earnings to vary significantly based on skill level and experience. The hourly range here spans from competitive entry-level rates of approximately $29.12 to more seasoned professionals who can command rates as high as $52.57. Settings where these sonographers work, including hospital ultrasound suites and outpatient imaging centers, often dictate the compensation nuances, revealing the importance of employer type in the overall pay structure.
About the Merrillville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.12 | $232.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.76 | $270.05 |
| Median (P50) | $40.41 | $323.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.41 | $355.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.57 | $420.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merrillville
Based on $40.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.41/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merrillville, IN can expect to earn approximately $84,050 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,490. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merrillville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merrillville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,616.34 | $7,004 | $84,050 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $969.81 | $4,202 | $50,430 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $646.54 | $2,802 | $33,620 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Merrillville) | $40.41 |
| 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 Merrillville, IN earn a median of $84,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.07% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $87,640.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.41/hr = $50,430/year (purchasing power: $55,235).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,050/year (purchasing power: $92,059).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Merrillville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Merrillville grew 30.0% from $29.63/hr (2019) to $38.51/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.40/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 Merrillville 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 Merrillville
When examining the earning potential for a part-time role, a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Merrillville for just three days a week could realistically take home a significantly lesser annual income compared to their full-time peers. In terms of per diem opportunities, these professionals often earn between $55-$80 per hour, with cardiac and vascular specialties yielding even higher rates. For example, travel contracts can provide earnings that range from $2,000 to $3,200 per week. It’s essential to note that different types of employers—such as hospitals, outpatient centers, and private practices—offer variations in hourly rates. These discrepancies may lead some sonographers to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance benefits, while others might opt for higher pay without perks. For those considering hourly work in Merrillville, negotiation strategies should emphasize the diverse factors that impact compensation, from credentials like RDMS or RVT to the demand for specialized skills in cardiac echo or vascular sonography.
More salary data for Merrillville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Merrillville in 2026?
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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 Merrillville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Merrillville 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