Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Little Rock, AR: $86,252 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Little Rock, AR earns a median $86,252/year (≈ $41.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Little Rock's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $96,518 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Little Rock, AR, is projected to reach a median of $86,252, which represents a significant contrast when compared to the national median of $101,352. This difference highlights a regional pay gradient where specialties like cardiac echo can command higher wages. Local sonographers can expect salaries to range from $70,198 at the 10th percentile to $105,035 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse earning potential influenced by factors such as experience, specialty, and the specific employer. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflect an active job market with considerable demand for skilled workers in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,198 | $33.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,170 | $38.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,252 | $41.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,887 | $44.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,035 | $50.49 |
Median Salary Position
14.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
In Little Rock, AR, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,837 (2026 est.). At $86,252, the local median is 14.9% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Little Rock Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Little Rock median: $86,252/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $88,103 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -14.90% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $86,252 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.90% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 2.10% below the Arkansas state average of $88,103.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Rock has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 89.364 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $86,252 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,518 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,590
2025 BLS Actual
$82,200
2026 Current Est.
$86,252
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,252 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,505 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Rock metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 29.3% from $63,590 (2019) to $82,200 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,505 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,915 (42.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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) | $70,198 – $79,170 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,170 – $86,252 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,252 – $91,887 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,887 – $105,035 |
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 Little Rock
With approximately 190 diagnostic medical sonographers currently employed in Little Rock, the job market demonstrates a strong demand for this profession. The cost of living index in the area, at 89.364, suggests that living expenses may be lower than the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Major employers, including hospital imaging departments and outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed, are significant contributors to the local salary structure. Many factors drive the disparity in pay, notably specialization, with cardiac sonographers generally earning the most, followed by vascular and OB practices. To maximize earnings in the Little Rock market, professionals should consider pursuing specialty credentials through ARDMS and SDMS, seeking roles in higher-paying fields, and exploring travel assignments, which typically offer premium pay rates.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $82,200 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Little Rock 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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