How Much Does a Sonographer Make in Pennsylvania in 2026?

A typical Sonographer in Pennsylvania earns about $39.77 per hour ($82,710 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Based on that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $6,892 a month and $1,591 a week. Those figures describe typical pay across the state; newer sonographers and those with more experience often see different numbers.

Pennsylvania's typical pay runs 14% below the national figure of $96,590 a year (or $46.44 an hour), a gap that usually tracks the state's lower cost of living compared with higher-cost coastal states. That places Pennsylvania 42nd out of 51 states and territories for Sonographer pay. About 2,980 sonographers work across the state, compared with 90,160 nationwide, giving a sense of scale for these figures.

Entry-level positions in Pennsylvania typically offer around $32.87 an hour, or about $68,370 a year, for sonographers just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the statewide typical figure of $82,710 within the first several years on the job. New sonographers usually start in this range regardless of the specific facility.

Experienced sonographers in Pennsylvania often earn upwards of $96,310 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $103,570, well above the entry-level figure. That leaves a spread of $35,200 between entry-level and top pay. The gap usually comes down to years of experience, the type of facility, and which city someone works in.

Pennsylvania's typical Sonographer pay rose from $63,300 in 2015 to $82,710 in 2025, a gain of $19,410. That amounts to a 31% increase over the decade. Pay rose most years along the way, with the largest single-year jumps occurring between 2020 and 2022.

Nationally, Sonographer pay rose 40% over the same decade, a faster pace than Pennsylvania's climb. Pay for the profession has moved up steadily in both cases, though this reflects what has already happened rather than a guarantee about future pay. Someone starting out today enters a field where typical pay has grown for ten straight years.

Pay runs highest in Philadelphia, where sonographers typically earn $94,640 a year ($45.50 an hour, metro-area figure), about 14% above the statewide figure of $82,710. Reading follows at $86,740 a year, and Allentown at $82,140, both also above the state's typical pay. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city itself.

Erie pays the least among the state's tracked cities, with typical pay of $76,510 a year ($36.78 an hour), leaving a spread of $18,130 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Philadelphia also has the largest Sonographer workforce in the state, with 1,660 employed there. Pay differences like these usually track local living costs, so a lower figure in one city doesn't necessarily mean a worse outcome overall.

Pennsylvania's typical Sonographer pay trails most nearby states. New York pays 26% more ($103,920), New Jersey 25% more ($103,150), Maryland 20% more ($99,210), and Delaware 19% more ($98,530). Ohio sits about even, at $82,870, while West Virginia pays 7% less, at $76,820, the only neighboring state with lower typical pay. Sonographer licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state.

Pennsylvania Sonographers typically earn $82,710 a year ($39.77 an hour) as of May 2025, up 31% over the past decade. Pay is lower than the national figure but has grown steadily. Anyone considering the field can check Pennsylvania's licensing and registry requirements for specifics, and look at individual city figures for a closer view of local pay before deciding where to work.