Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Kailua, HI: $119,862 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Kailua, HI earns a median $119,862/year (≈ $57.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Kailua's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $100,471 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kailua, HI, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect a median annual salary of $119,862 in 2026, which surpasses the national median of $101,352 by approximately 18.26%. The salary range for this field in Kailua spans from $86,486 at the 10th percentile to $156,179 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust earning potential for those in specialized roles. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects not only local market conditions but also takes into account regional cost adjustments, including the higher-than-average cost of living with a CoL index of 119.3. In particular, those focusing on cardiac echo tend to secure a higher pay grade, alongside vascular and OB-GYN sonographers, underlining the specialization pay gradient in this profession.
About the Kailua Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($104,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,486 | $41.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,317 | $48.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,862 | $57.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,759 | $63.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,179 | $75.09 |
Median Salary Position
18.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kailua
In Kailua, HI, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,693 (2026 est.). At $119,862, the local median is 18.26% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kailua: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kailua Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Kailua median: $119,862/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kailua Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $120,950 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +18.26% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Kailua, HI earn a median of $119,862 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.26% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.90% below the Hawaii state average of $120,950.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kailua has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kailua, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,862 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,471 — a 16.18% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$87,893
2025 BLS Actual
$114,230
2026 Current Est.
$119,862
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Kailua (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,893 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,785 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,937 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,207 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,897 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,993 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,862 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kailua metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $87,893 (2019) to $114,230 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,878 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kailua 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) | $86,486 – $100,317 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,317 – $119,862 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,862 – $131,759 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,759 – $156,179 |
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 Kailua
In terms of local employment, Kailua has a small cadre of only six diagnostic medical sonographers, suggesting a niche market that may drive competition for higher salaries. The cost of living impacts take-home pay, meaning that despite the attractive salaries, professionals must be mindful of the local economic context. Hospitals and outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed typically offer the most competitive compensation packages, but specialty practices, especially in cardiology and vascular surgery, can also yield higher earnings due to the demand for specific skills. Factors that contribute to salary variation include specialties—where cardiac sonographers rank highest—and employer differences based on facility size and patient caseload. To maximize earnings in Kailua, upskilling in specialties, taking on shifts with differential pay, or exploring travel sonography opportunities can enhance a sonographer’s financial outlook significantly in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Kailua, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Kailua, HI in 2026?
Is Kailua, HI a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Kailua?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Kailua?
How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make per hour in Kailua?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Hawaii
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 $114,230 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Kailua 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 Kailua 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