Travel sonography is a distinctive and lucrative specialty of diagnostic medical imaging. The United States has a travel sonographer average weekly salary of $2,116, which is approximately $110,073 each year. The real income is however diverse with respect to location, experience, specialty as well as the agency or healthcare facility. You are either a new certified sonographer trying a travel position or an expert in imaging trying to earn as much as you can, then the specifics in travel sonographer pay are essential.
In this manual, we will examine the earnings in such states as California and Texas, the Canadian pay levels and review the effects that the hourly rates and the weekly contracts have on your bottom line.
What Is a Travel Sonographer?
It is good to first of all know what travel sonographers do before squealing into the numbers. Travel sonographers are ultrasound professionals that undertake short term jobs in different locations nationwide (or abroad). The length of assignments is usually 8-13 weeks, although they might take several months. These positions are sought after in regions with staffing shortage, in small hospitals, specialty clinics or during the off-season.
These roles are in high demand in areas facing staff shortages, rural hospitals, specialty clinics, or seasonal staffing gaps. Travel sonographers enjoy flexibility, opportunities for exploration, and most importantly competitive pay packages often exceeding that of traditional roles.
Average Travel Sonographer Salary in the United States
On average, travel sonographers earn between $1,800 and $2,500 per week, depending on the employer, specialty, and region. That translates to an annual salary range of $90,000 to $130,000.
According to industry sources and current data from staff agencies:
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Weekly Average: $2,116
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Annual Average: $110,073
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Hourly Rate: $45 to $75+
There are a lot of travel jobs as well that come with other perks such as complimentary housing, meal allowance, reimbursement of mileage, and even completion bonuses, that actually contribute value to the pay package.
Travel Sonographer Salary in California
California is also among the highly-paid states of travel sonographers. The wages are high due to high living standards, demands in the healthcare system, and shortage of skills in the large cities.
Key Salary Stats:
Weekly Pay: $2,500 – $3,800
Annual Salary: $106,000 – $130,000
Top Cities: San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles
As an example, a travelling sonographer in San Jose can receive a salary of up to 2,481 per week or 129,005 annually. These figures may even increase when it comes to such specialties as vascular sonography, cardiac sonography, or OB/GYN sonography. Also, California hospitals tend to incorporate completion bonuses and shift differentials (additional pay to work night or weekend shifts), as well, this state is a valuable financial destination of traveling professionals.
Travel Sonographer Salary in Texas
Texas is also a favorite place among travel sonographers because its regions have large metropolitan areas, as well as, good healthcare infrastructures.
Key Salary Stats:
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Average Weekly Pay: $2,054
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Annual Salary: $106,800
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Top Cities: Austin, San Antonio, Houston, San Angelo
In cities such as San Angelo, where the demand of healthcare is growing, the top earners are able to charge over 3,000 a week. Although Texas might not be the highest pay as compared to California, cost of living is significantly low, thus take-home pay goes a long way. In the state of Texas, there are a lot of facilities where the extended contracts include the possibility of a higher degree of stability and financial steadiness over time.
Travel Sonographer Salary in Canada
In case you are planning international travel sonography, Canada is perform well in terms of hourly earnings and benefits.
Key Salary Stats:
Hourly Pay: $40 – $80
Annual Salary: $90,000 – $113,000
Top Provinces: Ontario, Alberta, Northern Territories
In Ontario and Alberta, 8- Travel sonographers receive approximately 50.79/hour and remote areas such as Northern Ontario pay up to 80/hour because of high demand. Canada also has a tendency of including housing allowances, travel allowances and even health insurance which makes it a good destination especially to the U.S citizens with two licensure or those capable of working even outside the US.
Travel Sonographer Salary per Hour
Hourly pay is one of the most straightforward metrics to measure compensation. Travel sonographers typically earn:
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$45 to $75 per hour
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High-demand specialties or urgent placements can exceed $80 per hour
The hourly rate depends on factors such as:
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Your specialty (e.g., vascular, OB/GYN, echocardiography)
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Years of experience
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The urgency or short-staffed nature of the assignment
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Shift type (day, night, weekend, on-call)
An assignment offer $70/hour for 40 hours/week equals a $2,800 weekly check, not include stipends or bonuses.
Weekly & Monthly Pay Breakdown
Let’s break the numbers down to weekly and monthly earnings for perspective:
| Type | Average Range |
|---|---|
| Per Hour | $45 – $75+ |
| Per Week | $1,800 – $2,500 |
| Per Month | $7,200 – $10,000+ |
| Per Year | $90,000 – $130,000+ |
Some contracts also allow for overtime, extra shifts, or holiday pay, significantly boost your take-home.
Travel Sonographer Salary by Location: Comparison Chart
| Location | Hourly Pay | Weekly Pay | Annual Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | $45 – $75+ | $1,800 – $2,500 | $90,000 – $130,000 |
| California | $50 – $80 | $2,500 – $3,800 | Up to $130,000 |
| Texas | $45 – $70 | Avg. $2,054 | $106,800+ |
| Canada | $40 – $80 | Varies | $90,000 – $113,000 |
Factors That Affect Travel Sonographer Salaries
Several key elements impact how much you can earn as a travel sonographer:
Location: States with high demand (California, New York, Texas) pay more.
Experience: The more years under your belt, the more leverage you have.
Specialization: Cardiac and vascular sonographers often earn higher pay.
Shift Timing: Evening, night, and weekend shifts come with bonuses.
Certification & Credentials: Have RDMS, RVT, or RDCS credentials can boost your salary.
Agency Contracts: Some agencies offer higher rates, house, and bonuses.
Benefits Beyond Salary
Beyond base pay, travel sonographers often receive:
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Free house or housing stipends
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Meal and travel reimbursements
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Health and dental insurance
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License and certification reimbursements
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401(k) plans with employer match
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Paid time off or end-of-assignment bonuses
These benefits can add thousands in annual value, especially when traveling to high-cost areas.
Is Being a Travel Sonographer Worth It?
Yes, travel sonography can be very rewarding, in case you like flexibility, adventure, and higher-than-average pay.
Pros:
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High pay compared to permanent roles
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Tax-free stipends and bonuses
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Ability to travel and explore new places
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Faster skills development across diverse clinical environments
Cons:
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Temporary contracts (you will be relocate often)
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Away from family/friends
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Licensing requirements vary by state
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No long-term job security unless extended
Tips to Maximize Your Travel Sonographer Income
Here’s how to make the most of this career path:
✅ Get Certified in High-Demand Specialties – RDMS, RDCS, RVT make you more marketable.
✅ Work with Multiple Agencies – Compare offers for the best rates and benefits.
✅ Be Open to Relocation – Go where the demand is highest.
✅ Take High-Paying Shifts – Nights and weekends pay more.
✅ Negotiate Your Contract – Do not accept the first offer. Ask about bonuses, stipends, and reimbursements.
Conclusion: Is Travel Sonography a Financially Smart Career?
Absolutely. Travel sonographers are also among the best paid people in the ultrasound industry with a weekly pay in the range of above 2,500 USD in most cases. Take in housing stipends, bonuses and the ability to work wherever you wish and at your own schedule and it becomes an even more appealing choice. The earning potential and flexibility of such a career is apparent whether you are earning $3,800/week in California or you are earning as much as $80/hour in rural Canada. Travel sonography has both long-term financial benefits and professional satisfaction in case you have the credentials, skills, a sense of adventure.
👉 Wondering what the real Ultrasound Tech Salary looks like across the U.S.? This post explains pay ranges, career factors, and earning potential in a simple, clear way. Read the full article to make confident career decisions and plan your future in sonography!
Zak is a dedicated medical and career writer specializing in sonography, healthcare education, and professional development. Through SonographerSalary.com, he shares in-depth insights on sonographer salaries, education pathways, and career tips to help readers build successful futures in medical imaging. His content combines accuracy with practical, easy-to-understand guidance, empowering students and professionals to make confident, informed career decisions.