Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Chicago, IL: $108,162 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Chicago, IL earns a median $108,162/year (≈ $52.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $104,409 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Diagnostic medical sonographers in Chicago, Illinois, can expect a substantial median annual salary of $108,162 in 2026, which positions the city above the national median of $101,352. The projected salary range for this profession in Chicago spans from $86,735 at the 10th percentile to $130,103 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for lucrative earnings, particularly for specialized roles such as cardiac and vascular sonographers. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and reflects the competitive nature of the job market. As the demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to rise, opportunities for diagnostic medical sonographers look robust, especially in a diverse metropolitan area like Chicago.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,735 | $41.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,204 | $47.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,162 | $52.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,403 | $56.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,103 | $62.55 |
Median Salary Position
6.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,368 (2026 est.). At $108,162, the local median is 6.72% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Chicago median: $108,162/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $101,560 | +6.50% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +6.72% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Chicago, IL earn a median of $108,162 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.72% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 6.50% above the Illinois state average of $101,560.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,162 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,409 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,120
2025 BLS Actual
$103,080
2026 Current Est.
$108,162
2019–2027 Growth
+43.4%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,162 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,494 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.3% from $79,120 (2019) to $103,080 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,494 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,374 (43.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $86,735 – $98,204 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,204 – $108,162 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,162 – $118,403 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,403 – $130,103 |
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 Chicago
With 2,280 diagnostic medical sonographers currently employed in the Chicago area, the job market exhibits considerable strength; however, the cost of living is a factor that influences take-home pay, as evidenced by the cost of living index of 103.595. This index suggests that living expenses are higher than the national average, so understanding employer compensation is vital for financial success. Opportunities at hospital imaging departments or specialized practices, such as cardiology and vascular surgery, often yield the highest pay. Factors such as specialty certifications (with cardiac echo professionals earning premiums), shift differentials, and travel assignments can significantly influence earnings. For those seeking to maximize their pay in Chicago, pursuing additional credentials like RDMS, RDCS, and RVT can enhance employment prospects and compensation potential in a thriving market.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
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 $103,080 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Chicago 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