Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Bethlehem, PA: $42.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Bethlehem, PA runs $42.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,289 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Bethlehem's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,970 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bethlehem, a diagnostic medical sonographer earns a median hourly rate of $42.44, which positions them below the national median of $48.73 for the same profession. This hourly rate is particularly significant for those working part-time, such as a three-day workweek, who would be earning approximately $1,270 per week before taxes. In various healthcare settings like outpatient imaging centers, hospital ultrasound suites, and mobile imaging units, sonographers can expect to see hourly rates ranging from $29.74 at entry-level positions up to $55.81 for top earners. Given that these rates are projections based on annual salary data, they highlight the earning potential for sonographers in Bethlehem while allowing for career growth within the field.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.74 | $237.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.11 | $280.88 |
| Median (P50) | $42.44 | $339.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.56 | $372.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.81 | $446.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bethlehem
Based on $42.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.44/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bethlehem, PA can expect to earn approximately $88,284 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,933. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bethlehem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bethlehem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,697.77 | $7,357 | $88,284 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,018.66 | $4,414 | $52,970 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $679.11 | $2,943 | $35,314 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Bethlehem) | $42.44 |
| 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 Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $88,289 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.89% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 4.50% above the Pennsylvania state average of $84,487.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.44/hr = $52,970/year (purchasing power: $54,384).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,284/year (purchasing power: $90,641).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Bethlehem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Bethlehem grew 30.0% from $31.12/hr (2019) to $40.45/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.54/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 Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem
Considering part-time employment, a diagnostic medical sonographer working 24 hours a week takes home roughly $66,578 annually, a significant difference when compared to full-time counterparts. For those interested in maximizing earnings, per-diem opportunities in Bethlehem can be lucrative; per diem sonographers frequently charge between $55 and $80 an hour, with cardiac echo specialists pulling in even higher rates of $70 to $95 an hour. Moreover, travel contracts, particularly in cardiac or vascular sonography, may offer weekly pay ranging from $2,000 to $3,200. While hospital imaging departments typically provide more stable hourly rates with benefits, outpatient centers and specialized practices might offer higher pay at the expense of job security and health insurance. Negotiating tips specific to the Bethlehem area can empower sonographers to advocate for better rates or benefits based on local market trends, especially in an evolving landscape shaped by corporate consolidations like RadNet and SimonMed.
More salary data for Bethlehem, PA:
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 Bethlehem. 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 Bethlehem 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