A career in sonography is a bit of a roller coaster. One minute, you’re celebrating with parents as they get their first glimpse of their unborn baby. Next, you’re delivering a life altering diagnosis. Sonography demands both technical precision and emotional resilience; when your paycheck doesn’t reflect that, burnout can creep in.
On the bright side, this field is showing great promise. Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that employment opportunities for sonographers are estimated to grow by 11% from 2023 to 2033. That means new job openings and higher wages, reflecting an increasing demand for these professionals.
So, whether you’re just getting started or looking to hit refresh on your career, it’s good to learn about cities stepping up their compensation packages for sonographers. Let’s take a look at the top cities where sonographers earn the highest rates.
Top 10 Cities That Pay Sonographers the Highest Rates
If you need help picking a new location, take a look at the HealthStubs list of the top 10 cities where sonographers get paid the big bucks. We pruned through our sonographer salary data to find the median hourly rate for each city and ranked these cities from 1 to 10.
1. New York City, NY
- Median Hourly Rate: $50.36
New York City isn’t all yellow cabs and skyline selfies; it’s a healthcare mecca, too. New York Presbyterian and Mount Sinai are just two examples of world class health institutions that never seem to quit hiring, meaning there’s always demand for healthcare professionals. If you search for ultrasound tech listings on LinkedIn and other job boards, you’ll always find hundreds of new opportunities.
NYC has the highest paid sonographers in the country, with a median hourly rate of $53.19. On the downside, your money won’t stretch quite as far; NYC is also one of the cities with the highest living costs on our list.
2. San Francisco, CA
- Median Hourly Rate: $50.36
If a mild climate is your thing, then the San Francisco Bay Area is definitely a great option. Not only does it boast the second highest median base pay for sonography techs at $50.36/hour, but it’s also advanced and innovative in healthcare tech. That means you’ll work at some of the nation’s best medical facilities, including the UCSF Medical Center and Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital. You’ll also be with the nation’s best talents, a big plus if you’re just starting out in the profession.
Being one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., the cost of rent and utilities in San Francisco might make your eyes water. However, if you’re chasing both career growth and prestige, you have much more to gain in the Bay Area.
3. Baltimore, MD
- Median Hourly Rate: $49
If you’re after a city with high income healthcare opportunities and a side of crab cakes, Baltimore fits the bill. Sonographers here earn a solid median base of $49 an hour—a decent wage for a city where the cost of living hovers just 1% above the national average.
Between waterfront views, culinary delights, and top tier health systems like Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore strikes a sweet balance of career growth and affordability. It’s one of those underrated gems where you can enjoy your paycheck and your weekends.
With access to cutting edge technology, specialized departments, and some of the brightest minds in medicine, you’ll have plenty of room to grow as a sonographer. You’ll find an environment that truly values what you bring to the table.
4. Boston, MA
- Median Hourly Rate: $47
According to Hire Partnership, Boston will likely require an additional 118,000 medical assistants by 2033. So, you can expect lots of new job openings, even for sonographers. This city offers a $47/hour median base compensation, and that’s the fourth-highest rate in the country.
If a high cost of living is your deal breaker, it’s worth noting that Boston is one of the most expensive cities in Massachusetts. But if you want to work in a well paying city without giving up your social life, Boston is a great option for you.
5. Washington, DC
- Median Hourly Rate: $46.35
Washington, DC, is a good city to break into the healthcare industry or make your next career move. Sonographers in this city earn an hourly median wage of $46.35—nearly the same as those working in Boston—but have just slightly lower living costs.
DC is home to several top rated medical facilities, including MedStar Washington Hospital Center and George Washington University Hospital. Also, the federal government is DC’s biggest employer (more than 162,000 people are on payroll), so job security is another major plus here.
If steady work and career growth are on your radar, Washington, DC, is worth a closer look.
6. Phoenix, AZ
- Median Hourly Rate: $43.14
Phoenix is one of those few places that manages to feel like a big city and a small town all at once. With affordable utility costs, low-priced housing options, and a vibrant job market, medical professionals are pitching their tents here.
Although new specialized centers for cardiology, oncology, and women’s health have popped up in recent years, there doesn’t seem to be any sign of the city sticking its shovel into the ground when it comes to healthcare. As a sonographer, you can work at Arizona’s highest-paying medical facilities, including HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center and Mayo Clinic, with a $43.14/hour median base rate.
7. Chicago, IL
- Median Hourly Rate: $43
Chicago is known for its architectural gems (think Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Rush University Medical Center) that consistently rank among the most beautiful and top rated hospitals in the U.S.
With 894 inpatient beds at Northwestern Memorial alone, you have lots of opportunities to work at one of the city’s esteemed institutions. Plus, with a median hourly rate of $43, you’ll make good money while enjoying all the Windy City has to offer—from its lakeside vistas to its iconic food fests.
8. Atlanta, GA
- Median Hourly Rate: $41.30
Atlanta’s got that big city energy without the sky high prices. With a median base rate of $41.30 per hour, it offers a nice balance between solid pay and a lower cost of living than cities like San Francisco or New York.
The healthcare sector is booming here, too. Definitive Healthcare Data reports that there are 69 hospitals and 19 integrated delivery networks (IDNs) in the Atlanta metro area. Major names like Emory Healthcare and Piedmont Healthcare have their headquarters here.
Sure, you won’t find as many sonography job listings as in NYC. However, with 200+ openings on LinkedIn and a steady stream of healthcare investments, Atlanta’s a smart pick if you’re looking for job stability, career growth, and a side of Southern charm.
9. Houston, TX
- Median Hourly Rate: $40.50
Houston isn’t just about barbecue and rodeos; it also pulls its weight in healthcare. Sonographers here earn a median base rate of $40.50 per hour, and the opportunities are just as big as the city itself.
At the heart of it all is the Texas Medical Center, the largest life sciences hub on the planet. With 61 institutions in the Houston area and over 160,000 people passing through daily, it’s a place where medical careers thrive. From cutting edge research to high volume patient care, you’ll find yourself in good company, working alongside some of the best in the industry.
10. UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Median Hourly Rate: $38.50
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex comes in at 10th place in this list of the highest paying cities for sonographers in the U.S. A $38.50/hour median base rate might not seem like a lot when compared to what other top cities offer, but when you factor in the cost of living for the area, that stretches a long way.
You can work as a sonographer for any of the major hospitals and clinics strewn about the Metroplex. These include the UT Southwestern Medical Center, which is rated the best hospital in Dallas. After your shift, the DFW Metroplex night scene and lively bars will allow you to have an exciting social life, too.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing this list makes clear, it’s that where you work matters just as much as what you do. Sonography is an emotionally demanding career, and your paycheck should reflect that. Cities like New York, San Francisco, and Baltimore pay sonographers the highest rates, but each location comes with its lifestyle trade offs. So, the city you choose should match both your career goals and personal vibe.
Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth are great options if you’re looking for solid paychecks without the big city headaches. The cost of living in either city is on par with their median base salaries. Ultimately, you’ll be happier and earn more money if your career takes root in a city that aligns with your passions and interests.
So, if you’ve been feeling underpaid or are just ready to make a geographic change, now’s the time to start scanning job openings in these top paying cities. Skilled sonographers are in demand, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be properly compensated.
If you’d like to view compensation data for other healthcare roles, find your role in the HealthStubs salary index, and filter as needed. If you’d like to register to view all of the HealthStubs salary data, click here to register for HealthStubs.
