How Much Does a Sonographer Make a Year?
Table of Contents
The average annual pay for a sonographer is $97,240 for the most recent year studied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Working as a sonographer is a great way to enter the medical field without having to pursue an expensive advanced degree. Typically, only an associate degree is needed to work as a sonographer, which can be obtained quickly and affordably.
Read on to learn more about how much a sonographer can earn and what it’s like to work as this kind of professional.
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Key Points
• Diagnostic medical sonographers use ultrasound technology to create images of organs and tissues inside the body.
• Experience level, location, and employer type can influence a sonographer’s salary.
• Full-time sonographers earn an average annual salary of $97,240, while part-time sonographers earn around $46.75 per hour.
• The typical level of education required for sonography is an associate degree, though many employers and some states also require certification or licensure.
• Sonographers avoid the expenses of medical school but may be required to work long hours, including nights and weekends.
What Are Sonographers?
A sonographer — also known as a diagnostic medical sonographer — uses sonography technology and tools to create images typically known as ultrasounds or sonograms. These images can give us a detailed look at organs and tissues within the body or at embryos and fetuses. There are many different types of sonographers who specialize in distinct areas of medicine, such as:
• Abdominal sonographers
• Breast sonographers
• Cardiac sonographers (echocardiographers)
• Musculoskeletal sonographers
• Pediatric sonographers
• Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers
• Vascular technologists (vascular sonographers)
As briefly mentioned above, training for this career usually doesn’t involve medical school and its cost. Instead, diagnostic medical sonographers may obtain a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree, or perhaps a vocational school degree or hospital training program certificate. Some may be trained in the Armed Forces.
It’s also worth noting that working as a sonographer will likely involve a high degree of patient interaction. For this reason, it may not be a good job for introverts.💡 Quick Tip: Online tools make tracking your spending a breeze: You can easily set up budgets, then get instant updates on your progress, spot upcoming bills, analyze your spending habits, and more.
How Much Do Starting Sonographers Make a Year?
Entry-level sonographers should expect their salary to be on the lower side until they gain more experience. The lowest 10% of earners make less than $67,820 per year.
However, the top 10% of earners working as sonographers make more than $129,370, meaning this is a career path that can lead to a job that pays $100,000 a year.
In addition to experience level, other aspects that can lead to competitive pay are your geographical location (big city vs. rural community) and whether the employer is a major hospital network, say, or a small, independent medical office.
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What Is the Average Salary for a Sonographer?
Those who work full-time as a sonographer can expect to earn an average annual salary of $97,240. However, some sonographers choose to work part-time and are paid by the hour. In terms of how much a sonographer makes an hour, the average hourly pay for sonography work is $46.75.
Many factors can influence how much a sonographer earns, and the state they work in is a major one. The following table illustrates how average sonographer salaries can vary significantly by state, with earnings shown from highest to lowest.
What is the Average Sonographer Salary by State for 2026?
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $124,668 | $10,389 | $2,397 | $59.94 |
| New York | $120,424 | $10,035 | $2,315 | $57.90 |
| Massachusetts | $120,213 | $10,017 | $2,311 | $57.79 |
| Alaska | $118,543 | $9,878 | $2,279 | $56.99 |
| Vermont | $117,036 | $9,753 | $2,250 | $56.27 |
| North Dakota | $116,466 | $9,705 | $2,239 | $55.99 |
| Oregon | $116,379 | $9,698 | $2,238 | $55.95 |
| Colorado | $115,744 | $9,645 | $2,225 | $55.65 |
| Hawaii | $114,361 | $9,530 | $2,199 | $54.98 |
| Nevada | $112,088 | $9,340 | $2,155 | $53.89 |
| New Jersey | $111,750 | $9,312 | $2,149 | $53.73 |
| Wisconsin | $111,103 | $9,258 | $2,136 | $53.41 |
| Pennsylvania | $110,337 | $9,194 | $2,121 | $53.05 |
| Delaware | $110,168 | $9,180 | $2,118 | $52.97 |
| South Dakota | $110,073 | $9,172 | $2,116 | $52.92 |
| Virginia | $109,129 | $9,094 | $2,098 | $52.47 |
| California | $108,632 | $9,052 | $2,089 | $52.23 |
| Minnesota | $107,807 | $8,983 | $2,073 | $51.83 |
| Rhode Island | $107,796 | $8,983 | $2,073 | $51.83 |
| New Hampshire | $107,047 | $8,920 | $2,058 | $51.46 |
| Maryland | $106,830 | $8,902 | $2,054 | $51.36 |
| New Mexico | $106,669 | $8,889 | $2,051 | $51.28 |
| Illinois | $106,664 | $8,888 | $2,051 | $51.28 |
| Maine | $106,573 | $8,881 | $2,049 | $51.24 |
| Wyoming | $105,805 | $8,817 | $2,034 | $50.87 |
| Nebraska | $104,949 | $8,745 | $2,018 | $50.46 |
| Indiana | $104,742 | $8,728 | $2,014 | $50.36 |
| Connecticut | $104,711 | $8,725 | $2,013 | $50.34 |
| Ohio | $104,646 | $8,720 | $2,012 | $50.31 |
| Mississippi | $104,247 | $8,687 | $2,004 | $50.12 |
| Idaho | $103,567 | $8,630 | $1,991 | $49.79 |
| Iowa | $103,388 | $8,615 | $1,988 | $49.71 |
| Missouri | $103,249 | $8,604 | $1,985 | $49.64 |
| Arizona | $102,576 | $8,548 | $1,972 | $49.32 |
| Texas | $102,550 | $8,545 | $1,972 | $49.30 |
| South Carolina | $102,143 | $8,511 | $1,964 | $49.11 |
| Oklahoma | $101,634 | $8,469 | $1,954 | $48.86 |
| Montana | $101,030 | $8,419 | $1,942 | $48.57 |
| Utah | $100,207 | $8,350 | $1,927 | $48.18 |
| North Carolina | $100,035 | $8,336 | $1,923 | $48.09 |
| Tennessee | $99,904 | $8,325 | $1,921 | $48.03 |
| Alabama | $99,769 | $8,314 | $1,918 | $47.97 |
| Kansas | $98,169 | $8,180 | $1,887 | $47.20 |
| Michigan | $95,939 | $7,994 | $1,844 | $46.12 |
| Kentucky | $95,601 | $7,966 | $1,838 | $45.96 |
| Louisiana | $94,126 | $7,843 | $1,810 | $45.25 |
| Georgia | $92,944 | $7,745 | $1,787 | $44.68 |
| Arkansas | $91,020 | $7,585 | $1,750 | $43.76 |
| West Virginia | $85,215 | $7,101 | $1,638 | $40.97 |
| Florida | $82,257 | $6,854 | $1,581 | $39.55 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Sonographer Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits
If a sonographer chooses to work part-time, they may not gain access to the same suite of valuable employee benefits that full-time sonographers typically earn. While employee benefits can vary by employer, full-time sonographers can generally expect to receive health care coverage, paid time off, and retirement plans as a part of their overall compensation package.💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.
Pros and Cons of Sonographer Salary
One of the biggest pros associated with a sonographer’s salary is that they don’t have to take on expensive medical school debt — which can really eat into a worker’s monthly budget. An associate degree or a postsecondary certificate may be required, but it will cost less than pursuing other degree requirements commonly found in the medical field.
Regarding cons, some may find that the salary doesn’t outweigh the hardships of the job. Many sonographers work nights and weekends and are on their feet for long periods of time.
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The Takeaway
Sonographers currently earn an average of $97,240 per year. They have a very valuable medical-service skill set, and demand for that skill set is growing. It’s anticipated that job openings for this role will grow by 13% from 2024 to 2034, which is above the national average rate. As they navigate their careers, sonographers will likely want to make progress in their financial lives with smart budgeting and saving.
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FAQ
Can you make 100k a year as a sonographer?
It is possible to earn $100,000 or more each year as a sonographer. On average, sonographers in the state of Washington earn $124,668 per year. Where someone lives, how many years of experience they have, and their specialty can all impact how much they earn.
Do people like being a sonographer?
Working as a sonographer is a great fit for anyone who finds the work interesting and who enjoys patient interaction. Because this role requires so much patient care throughout the day, it’s not the best fit for those who are antisocial.
Is it hard to get hired as a sonographer?
Around 5,800 openings for diagnostic medical sonographers are anticipated to be available each year. Because of this high demand, if someone has the right education and qualifications, they should be able to find work as a sonographer.
How many years will it take to become a sonographer?
You can typically train to become a sonographer via a two-year associate degree. After graduation, you will likely obtain certification, which is required by most employers and many states, and your state might also require you to be licensed. Obtaining certification or licensure can add time to your training.
Do radiology tech or sonographer jobs pay more?
Typically, diagnostic medical sonographers earn a bit more than radiology technologists. While the average annual pay for radiology techs is $83,840, sonographers earn around $97,240.
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