PermanentPosted 21 days ago
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer I - Maternal Fetal Center (Merced Clinic) - Full-time/Days
Valley Children's Healthcare · Merced, CA
$47.82–$69.50/ hour
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs in Merced, CA
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the Merced area earn a median of $56.36 per hour, about $117,220 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $52.90 and $64.61. That ranks 14th of 267 U.S. metro areas for diagnostic medical sonographer pay, and 9th of 248 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Merced. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Merced.
- $56.36median pay per hour, Merced
- $53–$65typical range per hour
- 40employed in the metro area
- 1open roles with published pay
Open Diagnostic Medical Sonographer roles in Merced
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90+ more Diagnostic Medical Sonographer roles for you in Merced, CA
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Named employers near Merced, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportDiagnostic Medical Sonographer pay in Merced, CA
The metro median is 3% below the California statewide median of $58.09 per hour. Nationally the median is $42.95 per hour. BLS counts about 40 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the Merced metro area, 0.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.91).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $46.97 | $97,700 | 9% above U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $52.90 | $110,030 | 23% above U.S. median |
| Median | $56.36 | $117,220 | 31% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $64.61 | $134,390 | 50% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $79.17 | $164,670 | 84% above U.S. median |
How Merced ranks
- 14th of 267 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 9th of 248 after adjusting for local prices
- 13th of 21 California metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SOC 29-2032), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Merced
- Overall prices in Merced run 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.3, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 21% below the U.S. average (index 78.6).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $56.36 median hour buys what $57.35 buys at the national price level, 34% above the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Estimate your Merced paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$2,029
- Per year: $101,448
- Per month: $8,454
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Merced metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Merced
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel diagnostic medical sonographer assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in Merced
CMS lists 1 hospital in Merced, 0 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of diagnostic medical sonographers.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Medical Center Merced, CA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turlock, CA | 25 mi | $59.78/hr | 72,888 |
| Madera, CA | 32 mi | $50.16/hr | 69,094 |
| Modesto, CA | 37 mi | $59.78/hr | 220,592 |
| Fresno, CA | 52 mi | $50.16/hr | 550,105 |
| Manteca, CA | 53 mi | $59.96/hr | 94,292 |
| Clovis, CA | 55 mi | $50.16/hr | 127,993 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs in California · Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in California
ARDMS or equivalent credential (RDMS, RDCS, RVT). Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
California taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Merced
Merced city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Merced, CA?
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the Merced metro area have a median pay of $56.36 per hour, about $117,220 a year. The middle half earn between $52.90 and $64.61 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Merced a good place for diagnostic medical sonographers once cost of living is counted?
Merced ranks 9th of 248 metro areas for diagnostic medical sonographer pay after adjusting for local prices, and 14th of 267 before adjusting. Overall prices run 2% below the U.S. average.
Who is hiring diagnostic medical sonographers in Merced?
We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Merced. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Merced.
Do I need a California license to work in Merced as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
ARDMS or equivalent credential (RDMS, RDCS, RVT). Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Merced?
The federal per diem benchmark in Merced is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place diagnostic medical sonographers in Merced?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Merced and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Merced.
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What do employers near Merced pay diagnostic medical sonographers? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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230+ Diagnostic Medical Sonographer roles in California, sent free by email
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Sonographer pay reportMerced, CA · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- MarinHealthGreenbrae, CA · 3 postings$71.30/ hr$57–$99
- CommonSpirit HealthOXNARD, CA · 5 postings$69.06/ hr$58–$83
- Sharp HealthCareChula Vista, CA · 3 postings$63.34/ hr$55–$77
- Kaweah Delta Health Care DistrictVisalia, CA · 2 postings$58.05/ hr$46–$71
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.
2What they are offering now
Low$30Median$57.41High$76
30 Sonographer postings with published pay in California, 28 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 30 Sonographer roles
- MFM Sonographer lPermanent$45.53–$68.30/ hour
- Ultrasound TechnicianPermanent$39.00–$54.45/ hour
+ 28 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.