Diagnostic Medical Sonographers pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,290 a year or less, while the top 10% make $168,060 or more. The middle half of diagnostic medical sonographers in San Diego earn between $103,870 and $147,180.
- $65K10th
- $104K25th
- $130KMedian
- $147K75th
- $168K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $122,960 | $10,247 | $59.12 |
| Median | $129,630 | $10,802 | $62.32 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $103,870 | $8,656 | $49.94 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $147,180 | $12,265 | $70.76 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Diagnostic medical sonographers in San Diego earn about the same as the California average ($126,610) and 26% more than the U.S. average ($97,240). At the median the gap is +34% against the U.S. median of $96,590.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $122,960 | $129,630 | $65,290 | $168,060 | 720 |
| California | $126,610 | $128,530 | $62,890 | $177,780 | 10,110 |
| United States | $97,240 | $96,590 | $67,820 | $129,370 | 90,160 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $122,960, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $87,966 a year, or $7,330 a month and $3,383 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% 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.
Is San Diego a good place for diagnostic medical sonographers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $122,960 buys what about $109,897 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.2 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 7.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 12th of 19 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($166,230).
- San Jose$166,230
- Vallejo$158,930
- Santa Rosa$152,780
- Sacramento$151,900
- San Francisco$151,740
- Modesto$138,590
- Santa Cruz$138,150
- Stockton$130,640
- Santa Maria$129,680
- San Diego$122,960
Highest-paying cities for diagnostic medical sonographers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($166,230).
- San Jose, CA$166,230
- Vallejo, CA$158,930
- Santa Rosa, CA$152,780
- Sacramento, CA$151,900
- San Francisco, CA$151,740
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Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salary in San Diego: questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make an hour in San Diego?
$59.11 an hour on average, and $62.32 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,290 a year and the 25th percentile is $103,870, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the diagnostic medical sonographers take-home pay in San Diego?
About $87,966 a year ($7,330 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $122,960. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do diagnostic medical sonographers earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is 26% 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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.9%.
- 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 0.80, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.80).
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