SOC 29-2032 · Modesto, CA metro

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary in Modesto, CA

The average salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in Modesto, California is $138,590 a year ($66.63 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $141,210: half of the 200 people in this job in the Modesto, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 43% more than the U.S. average for this job ($97,240).

$138,590average per year

$66.63 / hourMedian $141,210Take-home ≈ $97,195

  • $80K10th
  • $107K25th
  • $141KMedian
  • $178K75th
  • $178K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

200people in this job
+43%vs U.S. average
#6 of 19California metros
104cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers pay range in Modesto

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $80,400 a year or less, while the top 10% make $177,780 or more. The middle half of diagnostic medical sonographers in Modesto earn between $106,930 and $177,780.

  • $80K10th
  • $107K25th
  • $141KMedian
  • $178K75th
  • $178K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$138,590$11,549$66.63
Median$141,210$11,768$67.89
Entry level (25th percentile)$106,930$8,911$51.41
Experienced (75th percentile)$177,780$14,815$85.47

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers pay in Modesto vs. California and the U.S.

Diagnostic medical sonographers in Modesto earn 9% more than the California average ($126,610) and 43% more than the U.S. average ($97,240). At the median the gap is +46% against the U.S. median of $96,590.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Modesto$138,590$141,210$80,400$177,780200
California$126,610$128,530$62,890$177,78010,110
United States$97,240$96,590$67,820$129,37090,160

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salary after taxes in Modesto

On the average salary of $138,590, a single filer in Modesto takes home about $97,195 a year, or $8,100 a month and $3,738 every two weeks. Taxes take 30% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

California paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Modesto a good place for diagnostic medical sonographers? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Modesto area are 4% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 104.1), so the average $138,590 buys what about $133,121 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Modesto ($50,610). A typical home costs $468,302, or 3.4 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $138,590 is worth in another city

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salary in other California cities

Modesto ranks 6th of 19 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($166,230).

All Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for diagnostic medical sonographers

San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($166,230).

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salary by city

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Reviewed before it counts. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Modesto, CA.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salary in Modesto: questions

How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make an hour in Modesto?

$66.63 an hour on average, and $67.89 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers salary in Modesto?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $80,400 a year and the 25th percentile is $106,930, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the diagnostic medical sonographers take-home pay in Modesto?

About $97,195 a year ($8,100 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $138,590. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do diagnostic medical sonographers earn more in Modesto than elsewhere?

The average here is 43% more than the U.S. average for this job ($97,240).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-2032; area Modesto, CA (33700). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.7%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.76, this job is 1.8 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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