PayByState

Washington · BLS SOC 29-2032

Cardiac Sonographer salary in Washington

Median $120,040 · Top 10% earn $165,770+ · Roughly 618 workers in Washington. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Washington median
$120,040
$57.71/hr
Top 10%
$165,770
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$84,850
Entry-level range
Real pay
$109,326
CoL-adjusted (RPP 109.8)

Washington pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for cardiac sonographers — $120,040 versus the national median of $96,810. Real purchasing power is $12,516 above the U.S. average — a clean win. The state employs roughly 618 cardiac sonographers.

What drives cardiac sonographer pay in Washington

Washington cardiac sonographer pay is high — UW Medicine, Swedish, and Virginia Mason drive demand. Union density at Seattle hospital systems supports above-national wages.

Top-paying metros in Washington

Washington-area metropolitan areas with the highest cardiac sonographer medians.

Washington metros

10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.

Rank Metro Median
1 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $119,800

Washington ranks #2 of 50 states

Where Washington sits in the national distribution for cardiac sonographer pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Washington
#1 California $125,850 +$5,810
#2 Washington (this page) $120,040 —
#3 Oregon $118,110 −$1,930
#4 New York $117,140 −$2,900
#5 District of Columbia $117,140 −$2,900
See all 50 states →

Find Cardiac Sonographer programs near you

We surface accredited programs by state — community college, online, and accelerated. Compare tuition, length, and start dates.

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Education path for Washington

The typical path is a associate degree or 1-yr post-rt/rn cardiac sonography certificate, taking about 24 months. Tuition ranges from $9,000 (community college) to $48,000 (private accelerated). On the Washington median of $120,040, payback periods are typically 0.5 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Cardiac Sonographer salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Washington selected.

Cardiac Sonographer salary in Washington — FAQ

What is the average cardiac sonographer salary in Washington?
The median cardiac sonographer salary in Washington is $120,040 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $84,850; the top 10% earn $165,770 or more. About 618 people work in this role across the state.
How does Washington cardiac sonographer pay compare to the national average?
Washington's median of $120,040 is $23,230 above the U.S. national median of $96,810. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 109.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $109,326.
Where does Washington pay cardiac sonographers the most?
Top-paying metros in Washington include Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue at $119,800. These metros consistently pay 10–25% above the state median due to higher concentration of large hospital systems and specialty employers.
Is cardiac sonographer a good career in Washington?
On the data: Washington employs roughly 618 cardiac sonographers, with a median wage of $120,040 and the top decile clearing $165,770. The role is projected to grow +13% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for cardiac sonographers in Washington?
At the Washington median of $120,040 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $57.71/hr. The top 10% earn around $79.70/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $40.79/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Washington-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-2032: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (Cardiac)), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Washington's RPP is 109.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.