Sonographer Pay

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Olympia, WA: $56.15 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Olympia, WA runs $56.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $116,787 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Olympia's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.7, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,073 per year.

$116,787
Median Annual Salary
$56.15/hr
Hourly Rate
$72,758
Entry Level (P10)
$139,567
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Rate in Olympia, WA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Olympia, WA diagnostic medical sonographer hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Olympia, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay is projected at a competitive $56.15, which notably exceeds the national median of $48.73. This higher wage reflects not only the local demand for skilled professionals but also the specific settings where these sonographers typically operate, such as hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging units. For part-time workers, especially those on a 3-day-per-week schedule, this translates to a substantial income, as they can expect to earn around $4,500 monthly. With an hourly range from $34.98 for entry-level positions to $67.10 for experienced practitioners at the top of the pay scale, the earning potential in Olympia for diagnostic medical sonographers is promising. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$34.98$279.87
Lower Range (P25)$50.70$405.62
Median (P50)$56.15$449.18
Upper Range (P75)$61.26$490.07
Top Earners (P90)$67.10$536.82

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Olympia

Based on $56.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a diagnostic medical sonographer in Olympia earning $56.15/hr would make approximately $67,378 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $116,788 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$67,378Reduced (32 hr/wk)$89,837Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$116,788

At $56.15/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Olympia, WA can expect to earn approximately $116,788 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,378. With a cost-of-living index of 103.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Olympia.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$449.18
per 8hr shift
$2,245.92
per week
$9,732
per month
$116,788
per year

Schedule Comparison in Olympia

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$2,245.92$9,732$116,788
Part-Time (24 hrs)$1,347.55$5,839$70,073
Per Diem (16 hrs)$898.37$3,893$46,715

Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Olympia)$56.15
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing diagnostic medical sonographer median salary in Olympia ($116,787) with Washington average ($113,056) and the US national median ($101,352).Olympia$116,787Washington Avg$113,056+3.30%US National$101,352+15.23%

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Olympia, WA earn a median of $116,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.23% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 3.30% above the Washington state average of $113,056.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $56.15/hr = $70,073/year (purchasing power: $67,592).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $116,788/year (purchasing power: $112,654).

CoL index: 103.67 (100 = national average).

2019 BLS Actual

$41.96/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$53.51/hr

2026 Current Est.

$56.15/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+40.4%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Olympia (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for diagnostic medical sonographers in Olympia. Baseline $41.96/hr in 2025, projected to $58.92/hr by 2027.$39$45$50$56$622019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$41.96$43.96$47.44$49.26$46.81$49.18$53.51$56.15$58.92
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$41.96/hrActual
2020$43.96/hrActual
2021$47.44/hrActual
2022$49.26/hrActual
2023$46.81/hrActual
2024$49.18/hrActual
2025$53.51/hrActual
2026(current)$56.15/hrEstimated
2027$58.92/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Olympia grew 27.5% from $41.96/hr (2019) to $53.51/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.92/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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olympia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Olympia

The earning capacity for part-time diagnostic medical sonographers working 24 hours a week in Olympia can be quite lucrative. While full-time roles offer consistent paychecks, part-timers can take home an estimated $54,000 annually, creating a balance between work and life that many seek. Per diem opportunities present an additional avenue for income; these sonographers typically charge between $55 and $80 an hour, with those in cardiac echo roles often hitting $70 to $95 per hour. Travel contracts can further enhance earnings, offering $2,000 to $3,200 weekly for specialists in high-demand areas like cardiac or vascular sonography. However, hourly rates can vary by employer type, with hospitals, outpatient centers, and private practices reflecting different compensation ideals. Benefit trade-offs are crucial in this field; while some sonographers may accept lower hourly rates for consistent health insurance, others may opt for the higher pay without benefits. Negotiation strategies for hourly workers often involve showcasing credentials like RDMS or RDCS to justify higher rates, particularly in a city where premium skills command better compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Olympia in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Olympia is $56.15/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.93% annual growth). Rates range from $34.98 at entry level (10th percentile) to $67.10 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 15.2% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time diagnostic medical sonographers make in Olympia?

A part-time diagnostic medical sonographer working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Olympia earns approximately $5,839/month, or $70,073/year at the median hourly rate of $56.15. Many diagnostic medical sonographers prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are diagnostic medical sonographers in Olympia paid hourly or salary?

The majority of diagnostic medical sonographers in Olympia are paid hourly at a median rate of $56.15/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $116,788/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time diagnostic medical sonographer make per year in Olympia?

A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Olympia earns approximately $116,788/year at the median hourly rate of $56.15. This is 15.2% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $139,574/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do diagnostic medical sonographers earn more per hour working part-time in Olympia?

Part-time and per diem diagnostic medical sonographers in Olympia sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $67.10/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RDMS, RTData verified by Maria Gonzalez, ARDMS, RVT

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 Olympia. 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

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