Ultrasound Tech Pay

Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Des Moines, WA: $112,027 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in Des Moines, WA earns a median $112,027/year (≈ $53.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $104,308 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.

$112,027
Median Annual Salary
$53.86/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$80,375
Entry Level (P10)
$146,197
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Des Moines, WA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Des Moines, WA ultrasound technologist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

With a median annual salary of $112,027 projected for 2026, ultrasound technologists in Des Moines, WA, earn nearly 10.53% more than their peers nationally, where the median stands at $101,352. The local salary range from $80,375 at the lowest decile to $146,197 at the highest reveals significant earning potential within the field. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, indicating that skilled ultrasound technologists can find favorable compensation opportunities in this area. As the demand for sonography services continues to rise, the job market in Des Moines shows promise for both current professionals and those entering the field.

About the Des Moines Market

Salary estimated from Washington average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$80,375$38.65
Lower Range (P25)$93,685$45.04
Median (P50)(typical)$112,027$53.86
Upper Range (P75)$123,030$59.15
Top Earners (P90)$146,197$70.28

Median Salary Position

$80,375$146,197
City Median: $112,027
National: $101,352
P10–P90 Range

10.53% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for ultrasound technologists in Des Moines. The median salary is $112,027, compared to the national median of $101,352.$72.3K$92.6K$112.9K$133.2K$153.5K$80.4K10th Pctl$93.7K25th Pctl$112.0KMedian$123.0K75th Pctl$146.2K90th PctlUS Median$101.4K

In Des Moines, WA, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,822 (2026 est.). At $112,027, the local median is 10.53% above the national median of $101,352.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of ultrasound technologist pay in the Des Moines metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,154
per week
$9,336
per month
$112,030
per year

At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Des Moines Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares

Des Moines median: $112,027/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryDes Moines Pays
Washington Average$113,045-0.90% less
National Average$101,352+10.53% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing ultrasound technologist median salary in Des Moines ($112,027) with Washington average ($113,045) and the US national median ($101,352).Des Moines$112,027Washington Avg$113,045-0.90%US National$101,352+10.53%

Ultrasound Technologists in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $112,027 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.53% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $113,045.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$112,027
Nominal Salary
107.4
CoL Index
$104,308
Adjusted Salary

Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $112,027. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 107.4, the purchasing-power equivalent is $104,308, a loss of $7,719.$86.1K$96.8K$107.5K$118.2K$128.8K$112,027NominalSalary$104,308CoL Adjusted(CoL: 107.4) -6.89%US Median $101.4K

Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $112,027 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,308 — a 6.89% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$82,148

2025 BLS Actual

$106,764

2026 Current Est.

$112,027

2019–2027 Growth

+43.1%

Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Des Moines (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for ultrasound technologists in Des Moines. Baseline $82,148 in 2025, projected to $117,550 by 2027.$74.7K$87.7K$100.7K$113.6K$126.6K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$82.1K$83.9K$85.9K$89.9K$93.4K$119.2K$106.8K$112.0K$117.5K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$82,148Actual
2020$83,917Actual
2021$85,928Actual
2022$89,919Actual
2023$93,367Actual
2024$119,176Actual
2025$106,764Actual
2026(current)$112,027Estimated
2027$117,550Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 30.0% from $82,148 (2019) to $106,764 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,550 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,402 (43.10%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.93% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$80,375$93,685
3-5 years (Mid Career)$93,685$112,027
5+ years (Experienced)$112,027$123,030
10+ years (Top Earner)$123,030$146,197

Ultrasound Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ultrasound technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Ultrasound Technologist Job Market in Des Moines

While only seven ultrasound technologists currently practice in Des Moines, the local job market reflects a unique balance of compensation and cost of living, with a cost-of-living index of 107.4 indicating higher living expenses compared to the national average. Large healthcare organizations typically offer higher pay compared to smaller private practices or community health centers, partly due to their robust benefit packages and opportunities for shift differentials. Factors driving the salary spread include specialized credentials and experience, as well as the size and reputation of the employing institution. To maximize earnings in this market, professionals should consider obtaining additional certifications, pursuing positions in larger facilities, and being open to varied shifts that may offer enhanced pay. Understanding the ultrasound technologist pay in Des Moines will be essential for those looking to navigate their career paths effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do ultrasound technologists make in Des Moines, WA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median ultrasound technologist salary in Des Moines is $112,027/year ($53.86/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.93% annual growth). Salaries range from $80,375 at entry level (10th percentile) to $146,197 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Des Moines at 10.5% above the national median. Full-time ultrasound technologists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Des Moines, WA a good place to work as a ultrasound technologist?

Des Moines ultrasound technologist salaries are 10.5% above the national average and 0.9% below the Washington state average. The metro area employs approximately 7 ultrasound technologists. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can ultrasound technologists make $100K in Des Moines?

Yes — the median ultrasound technologist salary in Des Moines is already $112,027, meaning more than half of ultrasound technologists here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $146,197/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted ultrasound technologist salary in Des Moines?

After adjusting for Des Moines's cost-of-living index of 107.4 (where 100 equals the national average), the $112,027 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $104,308 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Des Moines reduce the effective value of your salary by 6.9% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a ultrasound technologist make per hour in Des Moines?

Ultrasound Technologists in Des Moines earn a median hourly rate of $53.86, which translates to approximately $112,027/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $38.65 for entry-level positions to $70.28 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem ultrasound technologists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Washington

RP

Written by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT

Career Analyst

Ravi has 10 years of experience as an ultrasound technologist. He specializes in abdominal and pelvic imaging. He works in a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, RDMS, RTData verified by James Kim, RDCS, RVT

Methodology & Data Source

Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $106,764 for ultrasound technologistsin the Des Moines metropolitan area. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Des Moines is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.93%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for ultrasound technologists (SOC 29-2032).

Compiled and verified by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT, a licensed ultrasound technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov

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