Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Rockford, IL: $99,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Rockford, IL earns a median $99,704/year (≈ $47.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $108,193 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rockford, Illinois, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary in 2026 is projected to reach a median of $99,704. This figure slightly trails the national median, which is $101,352, but still positions local sonographers competitively in the job market. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $82,045 at the 10th percentile to $114,510 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the income potential depending on specialization and employer. Salary data derived from 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) reflects the forecasts for 2026, indicating a growth trajectory of 4.93% annually for this profession. The demand for skilled diagnostic medical sonographers, especially those with cardiac or vascular specialties, remains robust, making Rockford's employment landscape favorable for job seekers with relevant credentials.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,045 | $39.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,318 | $39.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,704 | $47.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,102 | $51.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,510 | $55.06 |
Median Salary Position
1.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,465 (2026 est.). At $99,704, the local median is 1.63% below the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be above the median
How Rockford Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Rockford median: $99,704/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $101,532 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -1.63% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Rockford, IL earn a median of $99,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.63% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $101,532.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $99,704 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,193 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,210
2025 BLS Actual
$95,020
2026 Current Est.
$99,704
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,620 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 21.5% from $78,210 (2019) to $95,020 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,620 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,410 (33.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $82,045 – $82,318 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,318 – $99,704 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,704 – $107,102 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,102 – $114,510 |
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 Rockford
Additionally, there are currently 110 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in Rockford, with local compensation shaped by a cost-of-living index of 92.154, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average. This makes salaries more effective in terms of purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital imaging departments typically offer the highest salaries, while outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed also provide solid compensation packages. Variations in pay largely stem from factors such as specialization—cardiac sonographers earning higher than their vascular or OB-GYN counterparts—and shift differentials. For those seeking to boost their earnings, pursuing further certifications, such as RDCS or RVT, and considering roles in mobile imaging or travel sonography could maximize pay potential in the Rockford market. Keeping abreast of the evolving landscape of outpatient centers, and leveraging premium rates for cardiac specialties, will also enhance overall financial prospects in this field.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $95,020 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Rockford 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