Entry-Level Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Collierville, TN: $56,874 (2026)
Quick Answer:New diagnostic medical sonographers entering the Collierville, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $56,874 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2032, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Collierville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $61,954 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($83,458) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field of diagnostic medical sonography in Collierville, Tennessee, the starting diagnostic medical sonographer salary is projected to be around $56,874 in 2026. This figure represents a considerable gap from the city’s median annual salary of $83,458, indicating that early-career professionals may initially experience a pay disparity as they build their skills and expertise. However, as new sonographers gain experience, they can expect salaries to progress toward the P25 threshold of $67,833 within the first few years. With a healthy annual growth rate of 4.93%, Collierville presents a promising market for fresh graduates, especially as demand for sonographic services continues to rise in both hospital and outpatient settings.
About the Collierville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Collierville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Collierville
Entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers in Collierville, TN typically start between $56,874 and $67,833 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $50,854 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $83,458 — 17.66% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average sonography program cost in Tennessee of $22,000 represents just 38.68% of the starting diagnostic medical sonographer pay ($56,874/year) in Collierville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP-accredited (JRC-DMS recognized) diagnostic medical sonography program data and state workforce commission reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type.
DMS Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Collierville
- 1Research the Collierville market: entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer pay ranges from $56,874 to $67,833, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the sonography field — employers in TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Collierville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Collierville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Collierville's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Compensation Range
The diagnostic medical sonographer wage spread in Collierville is $50,854 ( 89.42%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $56,874, experienced hygienists can earn up to $107,728.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,174
2025 BLS Actual
$54,202
2026 Current Est.
$56,874
2019–2027 Growth
+41.5%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Collierville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,174 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,989 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,665 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,095 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,893 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,649 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,202 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,874 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,678 | Projected |
Entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer compensation (10th percentile) in Collierville, TN grew 28.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,174 in 2019 to $54,202 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $59,678. New graduates entering the Collierville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Collierville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.93% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your sonography Career in Collierville
In Collierville, various employers actively seek to hire new graduates, with hospital imaging departments typically being the primary source of employment for entry-level sonographers. Outpatient chains may provide opportunities but often prefer candidates with experience, sometimes offering sign-on bonuses to attract more seasoned professionals. To enhance starting pay in Tennessee, obtaining credentials from an accredited program and certifications from ARDMS or ARRT(S) in relevant specialties like RDMS or RVT is crucial. This is particularly relevant in a competitive environment where specialization can lead to higher earnings, such as cardiac echo sonography, which generally ranks among the top-paying niches. Realistically, new sonographers can look forward to incremental salary growth in their first few years, provided they actively pursue further education and certification opportunities as outlined by organizations like SDMS.
More salary data for Collierville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in Collierville in 2026?
How fast do diagnostic medical sonographer salaries grow in Collierville?
Is sonography school worth it in Collierville?
What do new diagnostic medical sonographers make right out of school in Collierville?
How do I become a diagnostic medical sonographer in Tennessee?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
Written by Aisha Khan, RDMS, RVT
Career Analyst
Aisha has over 10 years of experience in abdominal sonography. She works at a regional hospital. Aisha also conducts training for new sonographers.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new sonography graduates. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Collierville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Collierville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.93%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for diagnostic medical sonographers (SOC 29-2032).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Khan, RDMS, RVT, a licensed diagnostic medical sonographer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov