How Much Does a Sonographer Make in Ames, IA in 2026?
Typical pay for Sonographers in Ames, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Iowa.
BLS OES May 2025 · Ames metro area
A typical Sonographer in Ames, Iowa earns $39.48 per hour, or $82,110 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $6,843 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $69,580, and the top 10% of earners make over $102,380.
That pay is 5% below the Iowa figure of $86,480 and 15% below the national figure of $96,590. Ames ranks 5th of 7 metro areas in Iowa for Sonographer pay. About 30 Sonographers work in the Ames area.
Sonographer pay in Ames at a glance
- Typical pay is $39.48 an hour, or $82,110 a year.
- That is 5% below the Iowa figure, ranking 5th of 7 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $69,580; the top 10% make over $102,380.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Sonographer make in Ames?
Pay in Ames runs from entry-level positions at around $33.45 an hour to more than $49.22 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Iowa and national figures.
Sonographer pay by career stage in Ames
| Career stage | Ames | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $69,580$33.45 an hour | $72,480$34.85 an hour | $67,820$32.60 an hour |
| First years | $80,430$38.67 an hour | $80,490$38.70 an hour | $80,430$38.67 an hour |
| Typical Sonographer | $82,110$39.48 an hour | $86,480$41.58 an hour | $96,590$46.44 an hour |
| Experienced | $100,820$48.47 an hour | $97,570$46.91 an hour | $106,930$51.41 an hour |
| Top 10% | $102,380$49.22 an hour | $101,970$49.02 an hour | $129,370$62.20 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Ames area as BLS defines it
How Ames compares with other Iowa cities
Des Moines pays Sonographers the most in Iowa at $87,080 a year, $4,970 more than Ames. The lowest-paying area in the state is Cedar Falls at $80,620.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Ames | Sonographers employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines metro incl. West Des Moines | $87,080 | $41.87 | +6% | 170 |
| 2 | Iowa City | $86,940 | $41.80 | +6% | 90 |
| 3 | Cedar Rapids | $86,480 | $41.58 | +5% | 70 |
| 4 | Davenport | $82,870 | $39.84 | +1% | 100 |
| 5 | Ames | $82,110 | $39.48 | this city | 30 |
| 6 | Sioux City | $81,450 | $39.16 | -1% | 40 |
| 7 | Waterloo metro incl. Cedar Falls | $80,620 | $38.76 | -2% | 40 |
Every metro area in Iowa with Sonographer wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Iowa typical pay $86,480
Is Ames a good place to work as a Sonographer?
Sonographers in Ames earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $82,110 a year, 15% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Ames area, about 0.5 are Sonographer positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.5. Sonographer jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Sonographer make in Ames, IA?
- A typical Sonographer in Ames earns $82,110 a year, or $39.48 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $69,580 and the top 10% earn over $102,380.
- How much does a Sonographer make an hour in Ames?
- Typical hourly pay for Sonographers in Ames is $39.48. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $33.45, and the top 10% earn over $49.22 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Sonographer in Ames?
- Entry-level Sonographer positions in Ames typically offer around $33.45 an hour, or $69,580 a year.
- Is Sonographer pay in Ames higher than in the rest of Iowa?
- Ames pay is 5% below the Iowa figure of $86,480 a year, ranking 5th of 7 metro areas in the state. Des Moines pays the most in Iowa at $87,080.