Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Tampa, FL: $86,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Tampa, FL earns a median $86,169/year (≈ $41.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Tampa's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $85,409 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $86,169, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Tampa reflects a competitive standing within the field, especially given the premium associated with specializations like cardiac and vascular sonography. The salary range for this profession spans from $66,274 at the 10th percentile to $106,074 at the 90th percentile, providing ample opportunity for advancement and financial growth. These figures come from the 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the steady demand for skilled sonographers in the local market. In the context of rising healthcare needs, Tampa's job market is poised for continued growth, especially with the ongoing expansion of medical facilities and outpatient centers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,274 | $31.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,709 | $39.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,169 | $41.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,166 | $48.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,074 | $51.00 |
Median Salary Position
14.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tampa
In Tampa, FL, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,800 (2026 est.). At $86,169, the local median is 14.98% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tampa: You'd be above the median
How Tampa Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Tampa median: $86,169/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tampa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $85,997 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | -14.98% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Tampa, FL earn a median of $86,169 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.98% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.20% above the Florida state average of $85,997.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tampa has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tampa, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,169 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,409 — a 0.88% 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
$70,180
2025 BLS Actual
$82,120
2026 Current Est.
$86,169
2019–2027 Growth
+28.8%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,417 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tampa metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 17.0% from $70,180 (2019) to $82,120 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,417 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,237 (28.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tampa 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) | $66,274 – $81,709 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,709 – $86,169 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,169 – $100,166 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,166 – $106,074 |
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 Tampa
In Tampa, there are approximately 1,090 diagnostic medical sonographers employed across a variety of healthcare settings, with competitive pay structures often determined by the type of specialty. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 100.89, indicating a slightly above-average living expense that can affect take-home pay. Employers such as hospital imaging departments and outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed are known to offer some of the highest salaries for sonographers. The variance in pay can be attributed to several factors including specialty, shift differentials, and travel sonography premiums. Cardiac sonographers tend to lead in compensation, followed by those focused on vascular and OB-GYN practices. To maximize earning potential in Tampa, it is advisable for professionals to pursue additional certifications, seek positions with higher responsibility, and consider travel opportunities that often come with higher hourly rates.
More salary data for Tampa, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Tampa, FL in 2026?
Is Tampa, FL a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Tampa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Tampa?
How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make per hour in Tampa?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 $82,120 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Tampa 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