Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Fairbanks, AK: $106,657 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Fairbanks, AK earns a median $106,657/year (≈ $51.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Fairbanks's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.1), that paycheck buys what $100,525 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Alaska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fairbanks, Alaska, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect a median annual salary of $106,657 in 2026, which exceeds the national median of $101,352. Salary ranges from $77,170 at the lower end to $139,420 at the high end, reflecting the varying demands and specialties within the field. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, showcase the influence of the local job market and cost of living adjustments. Fairbanks presents a unique employment landscape: choices between hospitals and outpatient imaging centers can significantly impact compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers.
About the Fairbanks Market
Salary estimated from Alaska average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,170 | $37.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,338 | $42.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,657 | $51.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,274 | $56.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,420 | $67.03 |
Median Salary Position
5.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, AK, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,250 (2026 est.). At $106,657, the local median is 5.23% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairbanks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairbanks Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Fairbanks median: $106,657/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairbanks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $107,517 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +5.23% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $106,657 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.23% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.80% below the Alaska state average of $107,517.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairbanks has a cost of living 6.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairbanks, AK has a cost-of-living index of 106.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,657 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,525 — a 5.75% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,210
2025 BLS Actual
$101,646
2026 Current Est.
$106,657
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Fairbanks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,894 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,809 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,646 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,657 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,915 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $78,210 (2019) to $101,646 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,915 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,705 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairbanks 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,170 – $89,338 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,338 – $106,657 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,657 – $117,274 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,274 – $139,420 |
DMS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual diagnostic medical sonographer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Job Market in Fairbanks
With only five diagnostic medical sonographers employed in Fairbanks, the local job market exhibits both low competition and steady growth, projected at 4.93% annually. The cost of living index stands at 106.1, implying that while salaries may be competitive, the purchasing power, particularly concerning housing and everyday expenses, may be slightly diminished compared to national averages. Among the local employers, hospital imaging departments typically offer higher pay compared to outpatient chains like RadNet or SimonMed, which may offer more standardized rates. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to several factors, including specialization—where cardiac sonographers tend to command the highest salaries—shift differentials for weekend or night work, and opportunities for overtime. Additionally, venturing into travel sonography can yield lucrative pay. Therefore, pursuing additional certifications, gaining experience in varied specialties, and remaining aware of emerging opportunities in different sectors of the industry can help maximize diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Fairbanks, AK.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Fairbanks, AK in 2026?
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Fairbanks?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Fairbanks?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $101,646 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Fairbanks metropolitan area. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fairbanks 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