Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Charlotte, NC: $49.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Charlotte, NC runs $49.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,513 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Charlotte's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,111 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlotte, NC, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay stands at a median of $49.77, which is slightly higher than the national median of $48.73. This robust hourly rate supports both full-time and part-time work environments, including hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and even mobile imaging units. For those looking to work part-time, a 3-day workweek can provide a substantial income, while per-diem positions usually operate within a specific hourly range. In Charlotte, entry-level sonographers might expect to earn around $39.39 per hour, while the top earners can achieve rates of up to $54.46. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflect the competitive landscape for diagnostic medical sonographers within the region.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.39 | $315.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.07 | $336.53 |
| Median (P50) | $49.77 | $398.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.71 | $413.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.46 | $435.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlotte
Based on $49.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.77/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlotte, NC can expect to earn approximately $103,518 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,722. With a cost-of-living index of 97.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlotte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlotte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,990.73 | $8,627 | $103,518 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,194.44 | $5,176 | $62,111 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $796.29 | $3,451 | $41,407 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Charlotte) | $49.77 |
| 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 Charlotte, NC earn a median of $103,513 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.13% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 18.10% above the North Carolina state average of $87,649.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.77/hr = $62,111/year (purchasing power: $63,803).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,518/year (purchasing power: $106,338).
CoL index: 97.348 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Charlotte grew 36.8% from $34.66/hr (2019) to $47.43/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.22/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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte
When evaluating the income potential for a part-time diagnostic medical sonographer working three days a week for a total of 24 hours, the annual earnings can add up, especially when contrasted against full-time pay. For those opting for per-diem roles, typical bill rates can range from $55 to $80 per hour, with cardiac echo sonographers commanding even higher pay rates between $70 and $95 hourly. Travel contracts for sonographers can offer weekly earnings ranging from $2,000 to $3,200. Moreover, hourly pay often varies significantly according to the type of employer; hospital imaging departments may offer lower rates, while outpatient imaging centers and specialized practices tend to provide more competitive compensation. While higher hourly rates can be appealing, some diagnostic medical sonographers may prefer jobs that offer health benefits, even if it means accepting a lower pay rate. When negotiating hourly wages in Charlotte, emphasize relevant certifications, such as those from ARDMS or specialty credentials like RDCS or RVT, especially for lucrative niches in cardiac and vascular sonography.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
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 Charlotte. 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