Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in New Castle, PA: $38.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in New Castle, PA runs $38.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,844 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against New Castle's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,505 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Castle, Pennsylvania, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect a median hourly pay of $38.87, which is notably lower than the national median of $48.73. This difference in hourly rates reflects the local market conditions as well as the cost of living index, which is slightly below the national average. For professionals working part-time, such as those in hospital ultrasound suites or outpatient imaging centers, this rate translates to approximately $1,557 for a 24-hour workweek (3 days/week). Entry-level sonographers may earn around $28.71 per hour, while the highest earners can bill up to $47.55 hourly, enabling a flexible work schedule in various settings like mobile imaging vans and vascular lab procedure rooms. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, making them indicative but not definitive in their application to the workforce.
About the New Castle 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) | $28.71 | $229.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.38 | $275.00 |
| Median (P50) | $38.87 | $310.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.03 | $328.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.55 | $380.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Castle
Based on $38.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.87/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Castle, PA can expect to earn approximately $80,841 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,639. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Castle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Castle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,554.64 | $6,737 | $80,841 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $932.79 | $4,042 | $48,505 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $621.86 | $2,695 | $32,337 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (New Castle) | $38.87 |
| 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 New Castle, PA earn a median of $80,844 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.23% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 4.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $84,477.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.87/hr = $48,505/year (purchasing power: $49,800).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,841/year (purchasing power: $82,999).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in New Castle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in New Castle grew 30.0% from $28.50/hr (2019) to $37.04/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.78/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 New Castle 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 New Castle
For part-time diagnostic medical sonographers, the financial outlook varies. Earning approximately $38,885 annually working three days a week means forgoing the financial benefits of a full-time position, which typically provides greater stability and health insurance options. Per diem positions pose a different financial structure; per diem diagnostic medical sonographers in New Castle can often charge between $55 and $80 per hour, while those specialized in cardiac echo may reach rates between $70 and $95 per hour. Travel sonography contracts offer even higher compensation, ranging from $2,000 to $3,200 weekly, especially in high-demand specialties like cardiac and vascular. In a market increasingly dominated by chains like RadNet and SimonMed, hourly pay can sharply differ depending on the employer type and region. While some may choose to accept lower hourly rates for the benefits of full-time employment, savvy professionals can negotiate for higher per diem pay for greater independence.
More salary data for New Castle, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in New Castle in 2026?
How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in New Castle?
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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 New Castle. 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 New Castle 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