Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Delaware: $87,447 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median diagnostic medical sonographer pay sits at $87,447/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2032. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $85,985 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($96,256), Newark ($81,670), Dover ($81,459).
In Delaware, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect an average median salary of $87,448 in 2026, which is approximately 13.7% lower than the national median of $101,352. The highest salaries are in Wilmington, where professionals can earn around $101,001, while the lowest are in Middletown at $79,692, creating a salary gap of $21,309 between these cities. This difference can be attributed to factors such as local demand for healthcare services, the presence of medical facilities, and regional cost of living variations. Delaware has its own state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence salaries and job expectations. The projected annual compound growth rate for this occupation in Delaware is 4.93%, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. Overall, there are 39 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the state, with Wilmington, Newark, and Dover being the top cities for job opportunities. As the healthcare sector continues to evolve and expand, the outlook for diagnostic medical sonographers in Delaware appears stable, supported by ongoing advances in medical imaging technology and a growing aging population in need of diagnostic services.
Delaware Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $58,437 (lowest entry-level) to $131,069 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware diagnostic medical sonographers earn 13.72% less than the national median ($-13,905/year difference).
Delaware Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Distribution (2026)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salaries in Delaware range from $62,843 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $110,837 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $87,447. The Delaware median is $13,905 below the US national median of $101,352. The average hourly rate is $42.04/hr. Approximately 39 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,124
2025 BLS Actual
$83,339
2026 Current Est.
$87,447
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,124 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,504 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,075 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,189 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,881 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,017 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,339 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,447 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,758 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $64,124 (2019) to $83,339 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,758 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,634 (43.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $79,692 |
| Smyrna | $79,906 |
| Bear | $82,657 |
| Dover | $85,475 |
| Newark | $85,696 |
Best Value Cities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for diagnostic medical sonographers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $101,001 | 101.7 | $99,313 |
| Newark | $85,696 | 101.7 | $84,264 |
| Dover | $85,475 | 101.7 | $84,046 |
| Bear | $82,657 | 101.7 | $81,275 |
| Smyrna | $79,906 | 101.7 | $78,570 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $62,843 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $87,447 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $110,837 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $101,001 |
| 2 | Newark | $85,696 |
| 3 | Dover | $85,475 |
| 4 | Bear | $82,657 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $79,906 |
| 6 | Middletown | $79,692 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay in Delaware cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.
Explore More Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for diagnostic medical sonographers in Delaware?
How does Delaware diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Delaware?
How many diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for diagnostic medical sonographers?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 diagnostic medical sonographer compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more diagnostic medical sonographerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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