Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Bear, DE: $82,657 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Bear, DE earns a median $82,657/year (≈ $39.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Bear's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $81,275 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers in Bear, Delaware, can expect a median annual salary of $82,657, which falls notably short of the national median of $101,352. The local salary range spans from $61,285 at the 10th percentile to $101,200 at the 90th percentile, providing insight into the pay scale that encompasses both entry-level and experienced professionals. These figures reflect local estimates based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and adjusted for regional price parities. While healthcare facilities, such as local hospitals, may offer competitive salaries, the growing presence of outpatient imaging centers, like RadNet and SimonMed, influences the overall employment landscape for diagnostic medical sonographers in Bear, shaping their earning potential.
About the Bear Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,285 | $29.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,021 | $33.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,657 | $39.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,544 | $42.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,200 | $48.66 |
Median Salary Position
18.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bear
In Bear, DE, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,915 (2026 est.). At $82,657, the local median is 18.45% below the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in Bear: You'd be above the median
How Bear Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Bear median: $82,657/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bear Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $86,280 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -18.45% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Bear, DE earn a median of $82,657 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.45% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 4.20% below the Delaware state average of $86,280.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bear has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bear, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,657 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,275 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,611
2025 BLS Actual
$78,773
2026 Current Est.
$82,657
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Bear (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,611 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,916 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,344 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,889 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,867 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,773 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,657 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,731 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bear metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $60,611 (2019) to $78,773 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,731 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,120 (43.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bear 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) | $61,285 – $70,021 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,021 – $82,657 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,657 – $87,544 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,544 – $101,200 |
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 Bear
The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Bear is modest, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 101.7, slightly above the national average, which impacts the take-home purchasing power of these workers. Among local employers, hospitals often provide the highest compensation, though outpatient imaging centers and specialized practices in OB-GYN and cardiology represent significant competition. The disparity in salaries is driven by factors such as specialty focus—where cardiac sonographers typically earn the most—shift differentials for on-call work, travel premiums, and pay distinctions for lead or supervisory positions. To maximize salary potential, aspiring sonographers in Bear should consider pursuing specialty credentials through the ARDMS, as well as exploring opportunities in mobile imaging and temporary travel assignments that may offer enhanced financial rewards.
More salary data for Bear, DE:
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 $78,773 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Bear 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 Bear 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