Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Panama City, FL: $81,363 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Panama City, FL earns a median $81,363/year (≈ $39.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Panama City's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $83,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Panama City, Florida, the median annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in 2026 is projected at $81,363, significantly below the national average of $101,352 for the same year. The salary range for sonographers in this market spans from $56,746 at the 10th percentile to $97,039 at the 90th percentile. This information is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and showcases the local compensation landscape. Notably, cardiac echo specialists typically command higher pay than those working in other specialties like OB-GYN or vascular sonography, creating a clear gradient in earning potential that reflects the demand for advanced skills in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,746 | $27.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,540 | $32.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,363 | $39.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,277 | $41.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,039 | $46.65 |
Median Salary Position
19.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Panama City
In Panama City, FL, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,293 (2026 est.). At $81,363, the local median is 19.72% below the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in Panama City: You'd be above the median
How Panama City Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Panama City median: $81,363/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Panama City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $86,007 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -19.72% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Panama City, FL earn a median of $81,363 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.72% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 5.40% below the Florida state average of $86,007.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Panama City has a cost of living 2.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Panama City, FL has a cost-of-living index of 97.296 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $81,363 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,624 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.78% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,910
2025 BLS Actual
$77,540
2026 Current Est.
$81,363
2019–2027 Growth
+47.4%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Panama City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,363 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,374 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Panama City metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 33.9% from $57,910 (2019) to $77,540 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,374 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,464 (47.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Panama City 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) | $56,746 – $68,540 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,540 – $81,363 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,363 – $85,277 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,277 – $97,039 |
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 Panama City
Despite the industry projections, potential job seekers in Panama City should consider the local market dynamics. Currently, approximately 40 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in the area, highlighting a competitive but sizable job market. The cost-of-living index in Panama City sits at 97.296, suggesting that salaries stretch further than in higher-cost regions. Employers such as hospital imaging departments and outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed tend to offer the most competitive pay. The gap between the lower and higher pay brackets can be attributed to various factors, including specialty expertise, shift differentials, and even travel sonography opportunities which often include premium compensation. To maximize earnings, aspiring sonographers should pursue higher certification levels, such as RDCS or RVT, and seek out positions in specialty areas that are known for their increased compensation in Panama City, FL.
More salary data for Panama City, FL:
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 $77,540 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Panama City 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