BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in California

$126,610 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$60.87 per hour

▲ 30.2% above U.S. average1st of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$126,610per year
Median$128,530per year
Hourly$60.87per hour
10th – 90th percentile$62,890 – $177,780per year

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Pay Range in California

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$62,890
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$99,510
  • 50th Percentile — Median$128,530
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$160,580
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$177,780

Half of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in California earn more than $128,530. The top 10% make $177,780 or more, while entry-level workers start around $62,890.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in California: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • California ranks 1st of 51 states for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers pay, at $126,610 per year (30.2% above the U.S. average of $97,240).
  • 10,110 people work as Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in California — 11.2% of all U.S. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.96: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $62,890; the top 10% earn over $177,780.
  • Hourly equivalent: $60.87 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • Among healthcare jobs in California, Psychiatrists pays the most ($315,380).

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Job Market in California

Key factors affecting compensation

California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers here earn $126,610 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $126,610 is roughly equivalent to $89,162 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($118,090), Oregon ($115,390), Washington ($115,060) are the closest alternatives for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salary in California?

The average Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salary in California is $126,610 per year (median $128,530), which is 30.2% above the national average of $97,240.

How does California rank for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers pay?

California ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($126,610/yr).

How much do entry-level Diagnostic Medical Sonographers make in California?

The lowest-paid 10% of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in California earn about $62,890 per year and the 25th percentile is $99,510.

How much do Diagnostic Medical Sonographers make per hour in California?

About $60.87 per hour, based on the $126,610 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Diagnostic Medical Sonographers work in California?

BLS counts 10,110 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).

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