Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Modesto, CA: $148,172 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Modesto, CA earns a median $148,172/year (≈ $71.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Modesto's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.1), that paycheck buys what $142,325 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.4% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Modesto, CA, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect a median annual salary of $148,172 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $101,352. The projected salary range for this profession in the area spans from $84,364 at the 10th percentile to $186,545 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a robust earning potential for experienced sonographers, particularly those specializing in cardiac echo. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects a vibrant job market in Modesto where specialized skills contribute to higher compensation levels. As the demand for diagnostic medical sonographers continues to grow, those entering the field can anticipate competitive pay that reinforces the value of advanced training and specialty certifications.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,364 | $40.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,202 | $53.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,172 | $71.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,545 | $89.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,545 | $89.68 |
Median Salary Position
46.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Modesto
In Modesto, CA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,181 (2026 est.). At $148,172, the local median is 46.2% above the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in Modesto: You'd be above the median
How Modesto Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Modesto median: $148,172/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Modesto Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $136,690 | +8.40% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +46.20% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Modesto, CA earn a median of $148,172 per year (2026 est.), which is 46.20% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 8.40% above the California state average of $136,690.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Modesto has a cost of living 4.11% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Modesto, CA has a cost-of-living index of 104.108 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $148,172 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $142,325 — a 3.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,420
2025 BLS Actual
$141,210
2026 Current Est.
$148,172
2019–2027 Growth
+68.2%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Modesto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,172 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $155,477 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Modesto metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 52.8% from $92,420 (2019) to $141,210 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $155,477 by 2027 — a total increase of $63,057 (68.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Modesto 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $84,364 – $112,202 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,202 – $148,172 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,172 – $186,545 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,545 – $186,545 |
DMS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual diagnostic medical sonographer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Job Market in Modesto
Compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers in Modesto is strongly influenced by the local job market, which employs around 200 professionals in this field. The cost of living index stands at 104.108, indicating that while salaries are above national averages, the actual purchasing power may be balanced by regional expenses. Top employers in Modesto, including hospital imaging departments, outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and various private practices, are known to offer competitive wages that vary by specialty. The pay spread between entry-level and experienced sonographers is attributed to factors like specialty focus—cardiac sonographers generally earn more than their vascular or OB-GYN counterparts—and potential shift differentials or call coverage opportunities. To maximize pay in the Modesto market, pursuing further specialization credentials and considering travel sonography roles may provide substantial enhancements to overall earnings.
More salary data for Modesto, CA:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $141,210 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Modesto metropolitan area. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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