Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Buffalo, NY: $49.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Buffalo, NY runs $49.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,107 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Buffalo's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,260 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Buffalo, New York, the projected median hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer is $49.09, slightly surpassing the national median of $48.73. This competitive hourly rate allows for significant flexibility in work schedules, particularly for part-time professionals working three days a week. In such cases, sonographers can expect to earn a substantial income while maintaining a balanced lifestyle. The hourly wage for diagnostic medical sonographers in Buffalo ranges from $38.48 at the entry level to $52.32 for those at the top of the pay scale, making it an attractive career option across various healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and specialty clinics. Data sourced from BLS 2025, projected to 2026, reflects these opportunities within a dynamic job market for sonographers.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.48 | $307.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.18 | $337.45 |
| Median (P50) | $49.09 | $392.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.24 | $401.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.32 | $418.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo
Based on $49.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.09/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo, NY can expect to earn approximately $102,099 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,904. With a cost-of-living index of 95.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,963.45 | $8,508 | $102,099 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,178.07 | $5,105 | $61,260 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $785.38 | $3,403 | $40,840 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Buffalo) | $49.09 |
| 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 Buffalo, NY earn a median of $102,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.74% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.40% below the New York state average of $102,517.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.09/hr = $61,260/year (purchasing power: $63,916).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,099/year (purchasing power: $106,527).
CoL index: 95.844 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Buffalo grew 28.8% from $36.31/hr (2019) to $46.78/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.51/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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo
Considering part-time roles, a diagnostic medical sonographer working three days a week for 24 hours would earn approximately $61,115 annually, which can be an appealing alternative to full-time employment. Per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Buffalo presents an even more lucrative opportunity, with hourly rates commonly ranging from $55 to $80, while cardiac ultrasound specialists can see hourly rates soar to between $70 and $95. Travel contracts further elevate earning potential, offering upwards of $2,000 to $3,200 weekly for positions in high-demand areas. Additionally, the type of employer significantly influences hourly rates; for instance, hospitals may offer stability and benefits, but outpatient facilities and mobile imaging companies might pay more per hour. When negotiating, it's prudent for sonographers to weigh the benefits of stable employment against the higher hourly wages of contract or per diem work. Understanding market rates in Buffalo and possessing specialized credentials, such as RDMS or RDCS, can strengthen one's negotiating position, ensuring a fair compensation aligned with the region's competitive healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
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 Buffalo. 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