Diagnostic medical sonographers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$89,340
~$43/hr · ~$7,445/mo
US Jobs
90K
Much faster than average
AI & Automation Risk
5/10
Moderate
AI & Automation Risk
Moderate 5/10
The occupation is a hybrid of physical and digital work; while AI is rapidly advancing in image analysis and diagnostic assistance, the role requires significant physical presence to position patients and manipulate transducers with high hand-eye coordination. Furthermore, the interpersonal aspect of patient care and the real-time physical adjustments needed during a scan provide a substantial barrier to full automation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CABEST VALUE | $165,020 | Above avg (109.4) | $150,898 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $170,600 | Above avg (113.1) | $150,895 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $157,640 | Above avg (109.1) | $144,503 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $161,090 | Above avg (117.6) | $137,038 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $151,980 | Above avg (112.8) | $134,765 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $143,750 | Above avg (110.3) | $130,382 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $140,980 | Above avg (113.7) | $123,964 |
| Modesto, CA | $124,330 | Above avg (105.1) | $118,266 |
| Merced, CA | $117,220 | Average (99.6) | $117,669 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $129,440 | Above avg (110.7) | $116,885 |
| Vineland, NJ | $109,280 | Below avg (93.9) | $116,361 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $124,720 | Above avg (107.6) | $115,945 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $127,720 | Above avg (111.0) | $115,041 |
| Billings, MT | $103,670 | Below avg (90.3) | $114,743 |
| Salem, OR | $116,980 | Average (102.5) | $114,172 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Associate's degree
10-Year Growth
+13% (Much faster than average)
Hourly Rate
~$43/hr
Monthly Income
~$7,445/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)