Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Joliet, IL: $100,861 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Joliet, IL earns a median $100,861/year (≈ $48.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $103,873 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers in Joliet, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $100,861, which is slightly below the national median of $101,352. Local data indicates a salary range from $71,171 at the 10th percentile to as high as $137,191 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse specializations within the field. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors. For cardiac and vascular specialists, particularly those engaged in travel sonography, premium pay is often offered, enhancing overall compensation and making Joliet an appealing location for practitioners focused on lucrative specialties.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,171 | $34.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,729 | $40.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,861 | $48.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,862 | $54.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,191 | $65.96 |
Median Salary Position
0.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,020 (2026 est.). At $100,861, the local median is 0.48% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Joliet median: $100,861/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $101,470 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -0.48% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Joliet, IL earn a median of $100,861 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.48% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $101,470.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $100,861 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,873 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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
$73,960
2025 BLS Actual
$96,122
2026 Current Est.
$100,861
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,552 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,363 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,956 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,061 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,038 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,122 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,861 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,833 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $73,960 (2019) to $96,122 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,833 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,873 (43.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $71,171 – $83,729 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,729 – $100,861 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,861 – $112,862 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,862 – $137,191 |
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 Joliet
The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Joliet is relatively strong, with 25 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living, indexed at 97.1, is below the national average, allowing for a higher purchasing power for salaries earned locally. Major employers such as hospital imaging departments and outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed are known to provide competitive pay, often depending on the specific specialty, with cardiac sonographers receiving the highest compensation. Variability in pay can arise from factors such as specialty, shift differentials, and opportunities for additional income through travel sonography and applications specialist roles. To maximize pay in Joliet, focusing on high-demand specialties and seeking certifications from ARDMS can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Joliet, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Joliet, IL in 2026?
Is Joliet, IL a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Joliet?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Joliet?
How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make per hour in Joliet?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $96,122 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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