Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in St. Louis, MO: $49.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in St. Louis, MO runs $49.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,870 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against St. Louis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,320 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Louis, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay is projected to reach $49.94 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $48.73. This competitive hourly rate makes part-time and per diem positions appealing for many professionals in the field, especially those working in varied environments such as hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging vans. Entry-level sonographers in the area can expect salaries starting around $40.01 per hour, while experienced workers may command as much as $54.14 per hour. These figures are essential benchmarks for those considering a career in sonography or looking to negotiate pay in St. Louis, MO, based on official BLS hourly data projections.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.01 | $320.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.02 | $328.14 |
| Median (P50) | $49.94 | $399.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.23 | $417.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.14 | $433.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis
Based on $49.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.94/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis, MO can expect to earn approximately $103,867 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,923. With a cost-of-living index of 95.09 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,997.45 | $8,656 | $103,867 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,198.47 | $5,193 | $62,320 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $798.98 | $3,462 | $41,547 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (St. Louis) | $49.94 |
| 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 St. Louis, MO earn a median of $103,870 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.48% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 11.80% above the Missouri state average of $92,907.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.94/hr = $62,320/year (purchasing power: $65,540).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,867/year (purchasing power: $109,233).
CoL index: 95.088 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in St. Louis grew 41.5% from $33.63/hr (2019) to $47.59/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.40/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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis
Evaluating the part-time earning potential for a diagnostic medical sonographer working three days a week (24 hours), one can anticipate an income of approximately $62,100 annually, contrasting with the earnings of full-time colleagues who typically make around $103,870. For those opting for per-diem roles, the pay can be even more lucrative, as per diem diagnostic medical sonographers often command rates between $55 and $80 per hour, and specialized cardiac echo sonographers may earn between $70 and $95 per hour. In St. Louis, the variation in hourly rates across employer types highlights the difference between hospital imaging departments and outpatient settings like RadNet or SimonMed. While some sonographers accept lower hourly wages for health benefits, others pursue higher hourly rates for the flexibility of contract work or travel positions, which may yield earnings upwards of $3,200 per week. For those in St. Louis looking to negotiate their pay, being aware of these options and the distinct advantages tied to different employment types can be invaluable.
More salary data for St. Louis, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in St. Louis 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 St. Louis. 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