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Hourly Wage for Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Salary in the United States

How much does a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer make hourly?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer in the United States is $33, which translates to an annual salary of about $69,400.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $37 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $31 to $35 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $29 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Salaries

A Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $67,693
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $67,848
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $69,713
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $71,469
  • Expert (over 8 years): $71,594
Levels Salary
Entry Level Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer$67,693
Intermediate Level Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer$67,848
Senior Level Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer$69,713
Specialist Level Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer$71,469
Expert Level Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer$71,594
View as Graph

How Do Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $76,900.
  • California: $76,600.
  • Massachusetts: $75,600.

Top Paying Cities for Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $87,600
  • San Francisco: $86,600
  • Oakland: $84,800

What Skills Can Increase a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 2.43% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Basic Life Support (Mentioned in 2.02% Job Postings): BLS is a level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can be given full medical care by advanced life support providers. It can be provided by trained medical personnel.
  • Quality Assurance (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): Verifying the adherence of product with required specifications and expectations to track and resolve deficiencies prior to product release.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 2.43%
Basic Life Support 2.02%
Quality Assurance 1.3%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer's salary.

  • Stress Testing: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Physiology: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Stress Testing $85,362
23%
Physiology $84,668
22%
Collaboration $83,974
21%
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Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $73,660. While startup companies pay approximate $62,729.

Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $62,729
Growth Stage 51~500 $66,234
Established 501~5000 $71,235
Enterprise 5000+ $73,660

Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$83,280$40.020%

How Education impacts a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer with a Associate's Degree is between $81,494 and $86,282).

Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 35.3%
Associates 37.4%
Bachelors 23.4%
Masters 3.0%
Doctorate 0.3%
View as Graph

Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$64,200
Average $69,400/year
$73,600
$5,350
Average $5,783/month
$6,133
$1,235
Average $1,335/week
$1,415
$31
Average $33/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $73,600 $6,133 $1,415 $35
Average $69,400 $5,783 $1,335 $33
25th Percentile $64,200 $5,350 $1,235 $31

Most common benefits for Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer

Here are companies hiring for Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Which diagnostic sonographer makes the most money?

The highest-paying sonography specialties include OB/GYN sonography, vascular sonography, neuro sonography, and cardiac sonography. Specifically, Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers earn between $77,600 and $95,800, with a median salary of $86,300, making it one of the more lucrative fields in sonography.

3. Why do cardiac sonographers get paid so much?

Cardiac sonographers earn competitive salaries due to the high demand for their specialized skills in urban healthcare settings. With a minimum salary of $77,600, a mid-range salary of $86,300, and a maximum of $95,800, these professionals are crucial in diagnosing heart conditions, justifying their compensation in major metropolitan areas, especially in California.

4. Is sonography a low stress job?

Sonography is often considered one of the least stressful careers, as it involves a stable work environment and regular hours. Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers can expect a salary range from $77,600 to $95,800, with a median salary of $86,300, reflecting the rewarding nature of this profession alongside its low-stress attributes.

5. Is cardiac sonography a good career?

Cardiac sonography is a promising career choice, especially with the increasing demand for skilled professionals in medical imaging. With salaries ranging from $77,600 to $95,800, it offers financial stability and the chance to make a significant impact in healthcare. This field combines technical skills with patient care, making it both rewarding and essential.

6. Who makes more, surgical tech or ultrasound tech?

Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers typically earn between $77,600 and $95,800, with a median salary of $86,300. In comparison, Surgical Technicians may have lower earning potential but can enter the workforce more quickly due to shorter training programs. Overall, Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographers generally have a higher earning potential.

7. Can sonographers make 200k?

While sonographers play a vital role in healthcare, their salaries typically range from $77,600 to $95,800 annually. The average salary is around $86,300, which is significantly lower than $200,000. Therefore, it is unlikely for sonographers to earn that amount in most positions.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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