Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in San Clemente, CA: $135,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in San Clemente, CA earns a median $135,875/year (≈ $65.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in San Clemente's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $120,137 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Diagnostic medical sonographers in San Clemente, CA, can anticipate a median annual salary of $135,875 in 2026, which reflects a substantial increase over the national median of $101,352. The local salary range spans from $91,308 at the lower end (P10) to $186,498 for the highest earners (P90). Furthermore, the compensation data is influenced by regional price adjustments and employment characteristics, which offer a competitive edge for professionals in the field. Those who specialize in cardiac echo sonography typically enjoy the highest salaries, emphasizing the pivotal role specialty credentials such as RDCS play in boosting earning potential.
About the San Clemente Market
Salary estimated from California average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,308 | $43.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,336 | $54.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,875 | $65.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,040 | $74.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,498 | $89.66 |
Median Salary Position
34.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Clemente
In San Clemente, CA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,190 (2026 est.). At $135,875, the local median is 34.06% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Clemente: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Clemente Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
San Clemente median: $135,875/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Clemente Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $136,695 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +34.06% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in San Clemente, CA earn a median of $135,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.06% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.60% below the California state average of $136,695.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Clemente has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Clemente, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,875 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,137 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,635
2025 BLS Actual
$129,491
2026 Current Est.
$135,875
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in San Clemente (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,635 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,243 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,469 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,491 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,574 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Clemente metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $99,635 (2019) to $129,491 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,574 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,939 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Clemente 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) | $91,308 – $114,336 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,336 – $135,875 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,875 – $154,040 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,040 – $186,498 |
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 San Clemente
The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in San Clemente is relatively small, with only 10 professionals currently employed in this capacity. This tight-knit community provides unique advantages and challenges, particularly regarding cost-of-living pressures reflected in the 113.1 index, which is above the national average. Key employers such as hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers, including RadNet and SimonMed, tend to offer the highest wages. The disparity in pay can primarily be attributed to specialization, where cardiac ultrasound positions command premium salaries, alongside factors like shift differentials, on-call availability, and opportunities in travel sonography. To maximize earnings, professionals in this area should pursue advanced certifications and consider roles that offer leadership opportunities or bonuses for specialized skills.
More salary data for San Clemente, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in San Clemente, CA in 2026?
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in San Clemente?
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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 $129,491 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the San Clemente 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
Salary data for San Clemente 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