How Much Does a Sonographer Make in Washington in 2026?

A typical Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Washington earns about $58.34 per hour, or $121,340 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $10,112 a month. On a weekly basis, that comes to about $2,333, based on the annual figure.

Washington's pay for Sonographers runs 26% above the national figure of $96,590 a year, according to the same data. The state ranks 3rd among all 51 states and the District of Columbia for Sonographer pay. About 2,190 Sonographers work in Washington, giving a sense of the size of the field locally.

Entry-level positions in Washington typically offer around $29.73 an hour, or about $61,840 a year, for Sonographers just starting out. That's the pay level most new graduates can expect right away. From there, pay tends to climb toward the state's typical $58.34-an-hour rate within the first several years on the job.

Experienced Sonographers in Washington often earn upwards of $64.81 an hour, or about $134,810 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $75.41 an hour, translating to more than $156,860 annually. That puts the gap between entry-level and top pay at $95,020. That spread tends to reflect years of experience, work setting, and the city where a Sonographer is employed.

Washington's Sonographer pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, typical pay stood at $85,630 a year. By 2025, that figure reached $121,340, a gain of $35,710. That works out to a 42% rise over ten years.

That decade rise outpaces the national figure, which climbed 40% over the same period. Both moved in the same direction, with Washington's gain slightly ahead. For someone entering the field now, that record shows pay has moved up steadily over the past ten years, though it makes no promises about what happens next.

Pay runs highest in Bellevue, where Sonographers typically earn $129,960 a year ($62.48 an hour), about 7% above the statewide figure. Tacoma and Seattle post the same $129,960 figure. Vancouver follows close behind at $128,420 a year. These figures reflect pay across each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

At the lower end, Richland pays $103,990 a year ($50.00 an hour), putting the spread between Washington's highest- and lowest-paying cities at $25,970. Bellevue also carries the largest Sonographer workforce among the state's metro areas, with about 1,190 employed there. Cities with higher pay typically carry a higher cost of living, so the gap doesn't necessarily stretch further in what it buys.

Among Washington's neighbors, Oregon pays Sonographers a close $120,220 a year, just 1% below Washington's figure. Alaska and Idaho trail further behind, at $105,670 and $99,920 a year, or 13% and 18% below Washington. A Sonographer license earned in Washington can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though exact requirements vary by state licensing board.

Sonographers in Washington typically earn $121,340 a year, a figure that has risen 42% over the past decade. For specific licensing or registry requirements, check Washington's state board page. For pay in a particular city, the city-level pages on this site break down local figures in more detail, from Bellevue's top rate to Richland's lower one.