Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Louisiana: $84,406 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median diagnostic medical sonographer pay sits at $84,406/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2032. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $93,473 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Monroe ($84,920), Slidell ($82,600), Metairie ($82,369).
Considering a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer in Louisiana presents both opportunities and challenges. As of 2026, the average median salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in the state is $84,406, which is significantly lower than the national median of $101,352, resulting in a salary difference of -16.7%. Within Louisiana, there is a noticeable disparity in salaries among cities. Monroe offers the highest average at $89,107, while Sulphur provides the lowest at $79,573, a variation of $9,534. This difference can be attributed to factors such as local demand for healthcare services, the cost of living, and competition among employers in metropolitan areas. In terms of job market outlook, Louisiana is projected to experience an annual growth rate of 4.93% for this profession, indicating steady demand as healthcare facilities expand their imaging services. It's important for aspiring sonographers to be aware of state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can impact employment opportunities. The strongest job markets are anticipated in cities like Slidell ($86,672), Metairie ($86,430), Alexandria ($86,378), and New Orleans ($86,116), reflecting the varying needs within different regions of the state.
Louisiana Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $51,216 (lowest entry-level) to $120,849 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana diagnostic medical sonographers earn 16.72% less than the national median ($-16,946/year difference).
Louisiana Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Distribution (2026)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salaries in Louisiana range from $65,088 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $103,037 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $84,406. The Louisiana median is $16,946 below the US national median of $101,352. The average hourly rate is $40.58/hr. Approximately 804 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,542
2025 BLS Actual
$80,440
2026 Current Est.
$84,406
2019–2027 Growth
+41.6%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,542 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,799 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,024 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,135 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,224 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,738 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,406 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,567 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 28.6% from $62,542 (2019) to $80,440 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,567 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,025 (41.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sulphur | $79,573 |
| Zachary | $80,032 |
| Natchitoches | $80,414 |
| Hammond | $81,247 |
| New Iberia | $81,518 |
Best Value Cities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for diagnostic medical sonographers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe | $89,107 | 83.597 | $106,591 |
| Shreveport | $85,570 | 84.766 | $100,948 |
| Alexandria | $86,378 | 85.686 | $100,808 |
| Houma | $84,542 | 85.103 | $99,341 |
| Lafayette | $86,053 | 87.209 | $98,674 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $65,088 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $84,406 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $103,037 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monroe | $89,107 |
| 2 | Slidell | $86,672 |
| 3 | Metairie | $86,430 |
| 4 | Alexandria | $86,378 |
| 5 | New Orleans | $86,116 |
| 6 | Lafayette | $86,053 |
| 7 | Shreveport | $85,570 |
| 8 | Lake Charles | $84,937 |
| 9 | Houma | $84,542 |
| 10 | Kenner | $84,310 |
| 11 | Bossier City | $84,212 |
| 12 | Thibodaux | $82,767 |
| 13 | Ruston | $82,750 |
| 14 | Central | $82,667 |
| 15 | Baton Rouge | $81,982 |
| 16 | New Iberia | $81,518 |
| 17 | Hammond | $81,247 |
| 18 | Natchitoches | $80,414 |
| 19 | Zachary | $80,032 |
| 20 | Sulphur | $79,573 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.
Explore More Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for diagnostic medical sonographers in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Louisiana?
How many diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for diagnostic medical sonographers?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 diagnostic medical sonographer compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more diagnostic medical sonographerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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