Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in East Orange, NJ: $56.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in East Orange, NJ runs $56.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $118,369 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against East Orange's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,016 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In East Orange, New Jersey, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay is projected to be $56.90 in 2026, reflecting a significant increase compared to the national median of $48.73. For part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week, this rate equates to a solid income, especially as they contribute to varied settings like hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging vans. The range of hourly rates varies widely; entry-level sonographers may see figures around $40.08, while seasoned professionals at the upper echelon can earn up to $74.78 per hour. These estimates, grounded in annual salary data, highlight the potential for diagnostic medical sonographers in East Orange to earn a competitive wage within the broader NJ market.
About the East Orange Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($94,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.08 | $320.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.80 | $366.42 |
| Median (P50) | $56.90 | $455.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.39 | $499.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.78 | $598.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Orange
Based on $56.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.90/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Orange, NJ can expect to earn approximately $118,359 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,284. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in East Orange.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Orange
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,276.14 | $9,863 | $118,359 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,365.68 | $5,918 | $71,016 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $910.46 | $3,945 | $47,344 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (East Orange) | $56.90 |
| 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 East Orange, NJ earn a median of $118,369 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.79% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $116,735.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.90/hr = $71,016/year (purchasing power: $61,646).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $118,359/year (purchasing power: $102,743).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in East Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in East Orange grew 30.0% from $41.73/hr (2019) to $54.23/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.71/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 East Orange 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 East Orange
Exploring the earning potential for part-time diagnostic medical sonographers reveals that working 24 hours a week can lead to an annual income close to $70,000, which stands in contrast to full-time earnings. Per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in East Orange typically ranges from $55 to $80 per hour, with specialized cardiac echo sonographers commanding even higher rates, frequently hitting $70 to $95 per hour. Furthermore, travel sonography contracts offer lucrative opportunities, often averaging between $2,000 and $3,200 per week. Hourly compensation can differ based on employer type; hospital departments may provide stability, while outpatient imaging chains like RadNet or SimonMed can offer competitive if variable rates. Some professionals may choose lower hourly wages for the benefits provided by traditional employment, while others favor higher pay without benefits. In negotiating for hourly pay in East Orange, it's advisable for sonographers to emphasize their specialty credentials, like RDMS or RVT, to leverage better pay rates consistently aligned with their expertise.
More salary data for East Orange, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in East Orange in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in East Orange?
Are diagnostic medical sonographers in East Orange paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time diagnostic medical sonographer make per year in East Orange?
Do diagnostic medical sonographers earn more per hour working part-time in East Orange?
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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 East Orange. 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 East Orange 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