PayByState

Louisiana · BLS SOC 29-2032

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in Louisiana

Median $74,330 · Top 10% earn $87,400+ · Roughly 1,179 workers in Louisiana. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Louisiana median
$74,330
$35.74/hr
Top 10%
$87,400
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$54,760
Entry-level range
Real pay
$82,223
CoL-adjusted (RPP 90.4)

Louisiana pays meaningfully below the U.S. median for diagnostic medical sonographers — $74,330 versus the national median of $84,470. Louisiana's lower cost of living partially offsets the lower nominal pay, but real purchasing power is still below national average. The state employs roughly 1,179 diagnostic medical sonographers.

What drives diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Louisiana

Louisiana sits in the bottom quartile of U.S. diagnostic medical sonographer pay. Lower nominal wages typically reflect rural-area service delivery, smaller hospital systems, and less-dense union or specialty employer presence — partially offset by a lower cost of living.

Louisiana ranks #47 of 50 states

Where Louisiana sits in the national distribution for diagnostic medical sonographer pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Louisiana
#46 Kentucky $75,180 +$850
#45 Oklahoma $75,180 +$850
#44 South Dakota $75,180 +$850
#47 Louisiana (this page) $74,330 —
#48 Alabama $72,640 −$1,690
#49 West Virginia $72,640 −$1,690
#50 Arkansas $71,800 −$2,530
See all 50 states →

Find Diagnostic Medical Sonographer programs near you

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

Compare programs

Sponsored. We may earn a commission if you enroll. Prices and availability vary by school and state.

Education path for Louisiana

The typical path is a associate degree in dms, or 1-yr certificate post-rt, taking about 24 months. Tuition ranges from $8,000 (community college) to $45,000 (private accelerated). On the Louisiana median of $74,330, payback periods are typically 1.1 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

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

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in Louisiana — FAQ

What is the average diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Louisiana?
The median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Louisiana is $74,330 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $54,760; the top 10% earn $87,400 or more. About 1,179 people work in this role across the state.
How does Louisiana diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?
Louisiana's median of $74,330 is $10,140 below the U.S. national median of $84,470. After adjusting for Louisiana's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 90.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $82,223.
Is diagnostic medical sonographer a good career in Louisiana?
On the data: Louisiana employs roughly 1,179 diagnostic medical sonographers, with a median wage of $74,330 and the top decile clearing $87,400. The role is projected to grow +11% 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 diagnostic medical sonographers in Louisiana?
At the Louisiana median of $74,330 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $35.74/hr. The top 10% earn around $42.02/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $26.33/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Louisiana-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-2032: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Louisiana's RPP is 90.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.