Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs in Waterloo, IA
The median diagnostic medical sonographer pay in the Waterloo area is $37.43 per hour ($77,860 a year), with the typical range running from $36.99 to $43.76. That ranks 209th of 267 U.S. metro areas for diagnostic medical sonographer pay, and 120th of 248 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Waterloo. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Waterloo.
- $37.43median pay per hour, Waterloo
- $37–$44typical range per hour
- 40employed in the metro area
- 87cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay in Waterloo, IA
The metro median is 7% below the Iowa statewide median of $40.33 per hour. Nationally the median is $42.95 per hour. BLS counts about 40 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area, 0.4 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.76).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $32.59 | $67,790 | 24% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $36.99 | $76,940 | 14% below U.S. median |
| Median | $37.43 | $77,860 | 13% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $43.76 | $91,020 | 2% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $47.30 | $98,380 | 10% above U.S. median |
How Waterloo ranks
- 209th of 267 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 120th of 248 after adjusting for local prices
- 5th of 5 Iowa 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 Waterloo
- Overall prices in Waterloo-Cedar Falls run 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.1, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 37% below the U.S. average (index 63.1).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $37.43 median hour buys what $42.99 buys at the national price level, in line with 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.
Get the Waterloo Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay report
Named employers near Waterloo, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Waterloo paycheck
- Per year: $67,374
- Per month: $5,614
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Waterloo
| 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 Waterloo
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Waterloo, 1 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of diagnostic medical sonographers.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center Waterloo, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Allen Hospital Waterloo, IA | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 50 mi | $41.22/hr | 137,904 |
| Iowa City, IA | 72 mi | $40.33/hr | 76,710 |
| Ames, IA | 72 mi | $40.33/hr | 69,026 |
| Ankeny, IA | 83 mi | $40.40/hr | 76,727 |
| Dubuque, IA | 84 mi | $40.33/hr | 58,987 |
| Des Moines, IA | 91 mi | $40.40/hr | 213,096 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs in Iowa · Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Iowa
ARDMS or equivalent credential (RDMS, RDCS, RVT). Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Iowa taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Waterloo
Waterloo city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Waterloo, IA?
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area have a median pay of $37.43 per hour, about $77,860 a year. The middle half earn between $36.99 and $43.76 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Waterloo a good place for diagnostic medical sonographers once cost of living is counted?
Waterloo-Cedar Falls ranks 120th of 248 metro areas for diagnostic medical sonographer pay after adjusting for local prices, and 209th of 267 before adjusting. Overall prices run 13% below the U.S. average.
Where do diagnostic medical sonographers work in Waterloo?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Waterloo, led by Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Waterloo as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
ARDMS or equivalent credential (RDMS, RDCS, RVT). Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa 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 Waterloo?
The federal per diem benchmark in Waterloo 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 Waterloo?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Waterloo and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Waterloo.
What do employers near Waterloo 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.
Get your free pay report
20+ Diagnostic Medical Sonographer roles in Iowa, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Sonographer pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Iowa list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Seattle Children'sSeattle, WA · 5 postings$73.71/ hr$56–$91
- MarinHealthGreenbrae, CA · 3 postings$71.30/ hr$57–$99
- CommonSpirit HealthOXNARD, CA · 5 postings$69.06/ hr$58–$83
- MultiCareTacoma, WA · 23 postings$64.09/ hr$41–$91
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Iowa list
2What they are offering now
285 Sonographer postings with published pay in the US, 219 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Sonographer roles
Open Sonographer roles near Waterloo, IA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.