Sonographer salary in California
Diagnostic medical sonographers in California earned a median of $128,530 a year in 2025, 33% above the national median of $96,590. That ranks 1 of 52 states and territories. The middle half of workers earned between $99,510 and $160,580.
| Measure | California | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $128,530 | $96,590 |
| Median hourly wage | $61.79 | $46.44 |
| 10th percentile | $62,890 | $67,820 |
| 25th percentile | $99,510 | $80,430 |
| 75th percentile | $160,580 | $106,930 |
| 90th percentile | $177,780 | $129,370 |
Sonographer pay by area in California
| Area | Median annual | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,150 | $100,130 | $213,010 |
| Vallejo, CA | $171,170 | $67,360 | $205,490 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $163,220 | $102,130 | $188,300 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $161,570 | $103,280 | $206,220 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $160,270 | $94,600 | $204,140 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $142,150 | $87,190 | $175,320 |
| Modesto, CA | $141,210 | $80,400 | $177,780 |
| Redding, CA | $133,340 | $76,840 | $170,150 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $132,490 | $97,520 | $161,410 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $130,210 | $83,070 | $178,730 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $129,920 | $80,030 | $158,680 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $129,630 | $65,290 | $168,060 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $128,690 | $97,050 | $164,220 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $128,020 | $98,800 | $166,340 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $125,750 | $52,510 | $166,290 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $125,090 | $64,500 | $152,490 |
| Chico, CA | $123,880 | $93,980 | $151,360 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $119,430 | $57,180 | $168,360 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $108,990 | $69,040 | $154,150 |
| Fresno, CA | $107,750 | $77,160 | $163,890 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $105,860 | $61,300 | $150,620 |
| Visalia, CA | $99,010 | $77,000 | $126,990 |
Accredited sonography programs in California
- CBD College · Los Angeles
- Community Regional Medical Center · Fresno
- Cypress College · Cypress
- Foothill College · Los Altos Hills
- Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts · San Jose
- Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences · Richmond
- Loma Linda University · Loma Linda
- Merced College · Merced
- Mt. San Jacinto College-Menifee · Menifee
- Orange Coast College · Costa Mesa
- Sacramento Ultrasound Institute · Sacramento
- University of California San Diego Medical Center · San Diego
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (via O*NET OnLine), 2025 wage data, retrieved 2026-10-16. Compare all states.
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