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.
Official BLS data · View source

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
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 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.
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.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Olympia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Role | Median 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 |
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.92/hr | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olympia 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 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.
More salary data for Olympia, WA:
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 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