Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $43.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Raleigh, NC runs $43.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $90,376 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,227 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, NC, the hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer is projected at $43.45 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $48.73. This rate is significant for those seeking part-time positions; for instance, a sonographer working three days a week can expect to earn a competitive income that reflects their specialized training. In the diverse environments of hospital ultrasound suites and outpatient imaging centers, hourly pay can vary widely. Entry-level sonographers may earn around $36.78, while experienced professionals can command rates of up to $55.18, illustrating the profession's earning potential across different stages of a career.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.78 | $294.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.00 | $319.99 |
| Median (P50) | $43.45 | $347.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.28 | $394.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.18 | $441.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $43.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.45/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $90,379 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,142. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,738.06 | $7,532 | $90,379 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,042.84 | $4,519 | $54,227 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $695.22 | $3,013 | $36,152 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Raleigh) | $43.45 |
| 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 Raleigh, NC earn a median of $90,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.83% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 3.10% above the North Carolina state average of $87,659.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.45/hr = $54,227/year (purchasing power: $55,246).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $90,379/year (purchasing power: $92,076).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Raleigh grew 26.9% from $32.62/hr (2019) to $41.41/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.59/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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
Considering a part-time schedule can add substantial value, and for a diagnostic medical sonographer working 24 hours a week, the take-home pay annually would average $54,000, compared to the earnings of full-time professionals. For those looking for flexibility, per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Raleigh varies greatly, with rates often ranging from $55 to $80 per hour, especially for roles emphasizing cardiac echo procedures, which can see rates peak at $70 to $95 per hour. Various employer types further influence pay, with hospitals typically offering more stability and benefits, while outpatient imaging centers may provide more competitive hourly wages. The choice between a higher hourly wage without benefits versus a lower rate with health insurance can significantly impact overall job satisfaction. For effective negotiation in this competitive environment, understanding the nuances of these pay scales and highlighting specialty credentials like RDMS or RDCS can provide an edge in securing lucrative opportunities within Raleigh's evolving job market.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 Raleigh. 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