Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Middletown, DE: $79,692 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Middletown, DE earns a median $79,692/year (≈ $38.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $78,360 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers in Middletown, Delaware, earn a median salary of $79,692, reflecting a competitive pay scale that accommodates various specialties, with cardiac ultrasound experts typically commanding the highest wages in the field. The salary ranges from $58,437 at the 10th percentile to $99,776 at the 90th percentile, providing an attractive framework for both entry-level and seasoned professionals. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, underscore the favorable earnings potential in this region. With the demand for skilled sonographers growing, particularly in cardiac and vascular specialties, the job market in Middletown appears promising for those entering or advancing in this career path.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,437 | $28.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,036 | $32.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,692 | $38.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,532 | $41.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,776 | $47.97 |
Median Salary Position
21.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, DE, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,339 (2026 est.). At $79,692, the local median is 21.37% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be above the median
How Middletown Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Middletown median: $79,692/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $86,247 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -21.37% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Middletown, DE earn a median of $79,692 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.37% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 7.60% below the Delaware state average of $86,247.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middletown, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,692 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,360 — a 1.67% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$58,437
2025 BLS Actual
$75,948
2026 Current Est.
$79,692
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,437 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,695 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,126 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,965 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,418 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,931 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,948 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,692 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,621 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $58,437 (2019) to $75,948 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,621 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,184 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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) | $58,437 – $67,036 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,036 – $79,692 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,692 – $85,532 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,532 – $99,776 |
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 Middletown
Despite a strong regional salary, the cost of living index in Middletown sits slightly above the national average at 101.7, impacting the effective value of take-home pay for diagnostic medical sonographers, where the current workforce consists of only six individuals in this occupation. Employers such as local hospital imaging departments, outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and specialized practices in cardiology tend to offer competitive compensation and can provide additional benefits like overtime and shift differentials. The wide salary range indicates various factors influencing earnings, including specialty certifications—cardiac sonographers typically earn more than their OB-GYN or abdominal counterparts—and the potential for higher pay through travel sonography roles. To maximize their earning potential, aspiring sonographers in Middletown should consider pursuing advanced credentials from ARDMS, networking with local facilities, or seeking positions with employers offering specialized imaging services.
More salary data for Middletown, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Middletown, DE in 2026?
Is Middletown, DE a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Middletown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Middletown?
How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make per hour in Middletown?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Delaware
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 $75,948 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Middletown 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 Middletown 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