Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in California
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in California earn a median of $128,530 a year ($61.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,780 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $96,590. California ranks 1st of 51 states for diagnostic medical sonographers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.56 diagnostic medical sonographers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $126,610, close to the median.
Pay range for diagnostic medical sonographers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,890 | $30.24 |
| 25th percentile | $99,510 | $47.84 |
| Median | $128,530 | $61.79 |
| 75th percentile | $160,580 | $77.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,780 | $85.47 |
| Average (mean) | $126,610 | $60.87 |
Half of diagnostic medical sonographers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,710.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,355.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,943.46 |
| Weekly | $2,471.73 |
| Hourly | $61.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,150 | 500 |
| Vallejo, CA | $171,170 | 140 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $163,220 | 610 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $161,570 | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $160,270 | 1,300 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $142,150 | 40 |
| Modesto, CA | $141,210 | 200 |
| Redding, CA | $133,340 | 40 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $132,490 | 100 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $130,210 | 140 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $129,630 | 720 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $125,750 | 140 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $125,090 | 40 |
| Chico, CA | $123,880 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $119,430 | 3,550 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $108,990 | 180 |
| Fresno, CA | $107,750 | 390 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $105,860 | 960 |
| Visalia, CA | $99,010 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for diagnostic medical sonographers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $128,530 |
| Hawaii | $124,430 |
| Washington | $121,340 |
| Oregon | $120,220 |
| District of Columbia | $112,020 |
| Colorado | $108,410 |
| Massachusetts | $107,480 |
| Alaska | $105,670 |
| Vermont | $104,100 |
| New York | $103,920 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $55,110 | $26.50 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $121,260 | $58.30 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $61,810 | $29.71 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $49,140 | $23.62 |
| Surgical Technologist | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Dietetic Technician | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| Paramedic | $74,590 | $35.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make in California?
The median salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in California is $128,530 a year, or $61.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid diagnostic medical sonographers make in California?
The top 10% of diagnostic medical sonographers in California earn at least $177,780 a year. The top 25% earn $160,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for diagnostic medical sonographers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,890 a year, and a quarter of diagnostic medical sonographers earn $99,510 or less.
How many diagnostic medical sonographers work in California?
About 10,110 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.