Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Maryland: $104,008 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median diagnostic medical sonographer pay sits at $104,008/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2032. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $95,158 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($107,038), Gaithersburg ($106,344), Germantown ($106,269).
As of 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers in Maryland earn an average median salary of $104,008, which is 2.6% higher than the national median of $101,352. Salary variation across the state is significant, with the highest paying city, Aspen Hill, offering $112,315, while Hagerstown provides the lowest at $90,743. This $21,572 difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for sonographers, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. In Maryland, diagnostic medical sonographers must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws. The demand for these professionals is driven by an aging population and continuous advancements in medical technology, leading to a projected annual growth rate of 4.93% for the profession statewide. Currently, there are 1,343 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in Maryland, with the top five cities for salaries including Aspen Hill, Gaithersburg at $111,587, Germantown at $111,508, Ellicott City at $111,253, and Waldorf at $111,140. This job market outlook is promising as the demand for skilled sonographers continues to rise, making it a viable career path in Maryland.
Maryland Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $71,942 (lowest entry-level) to $149,448 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland diagnostic medical sonographers earn 2.62% more than the national median (+$2,656/year difference).
Maryland Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Distribution (2026)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salaries in Maryland range from $82,673 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $118,766 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,008. The Maryland median is $2,656 above the US national median of $101,352. The average hourly rate is $50.00/hr. Approximately 1,343 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$75,055
2025 BLS Actual
$99,121
2026 Current Est.
$104,008
2019–2027 Growth
+45.4%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,055 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,959 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,897 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,366 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,121 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,008 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,135 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 32.1% from $75,055 (2019) to $99,121 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,135 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,080 (45.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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 Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $90,743 |
| Lexington Park | $102,338 |
| Cumberland | $102,535 |
| Salisbury | $103,073 |
| Towson | $103,362 |
Best Value Cities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for diagnostic medical sonographers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salisbury | $103,073 | 95.617 | $107,798 |
| Aspen Hill | $112,315 | 109.3 | $102,758 |
| Gaithersburg | $111,587 | 109.3 | $102,092 |
| Germantown | $111,508 | 109.3 | $102,020 |
| Ellicott City | $111,253 | 109.3 | $101,787 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $82,673 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,008 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $118,766 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $112,315 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $111,587 |
| 3 | Germantown | $111,508 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $111,253 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $111,140 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $110,762 |
| 7 | Bowie | $110,236 |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $109,893 |
| 9 | Frederick | $108,376 |
| 10 | Annapolis | $108,353 |
| 11 | Severn | $108,350 |
| 12 | College Park | $108,138 |
| 13 | Rockville | $107,998 |
| 14 | Silver Spring | $107,946 |
| 15 | Potomac | $107,433 |
| 16 | Bethesda | $106,998 |
| 17 | Dundalk | $106,998 |
| 18 | Odenton | $106,633 |
| 19 | Catonsville | $105,765 |
| 20 | Columbia | $105,637 |
| 21 | Laurel | $105,232 |
| 22 | Greenbelt | $104,885 |
| 23 | Baltimore | $103,765 |
| 24 | Towson | $103,362 |
| 25 | Salisbury | $103,073 |
| 26 | Cumberland | $102,535 |
| 27 | Lexington Park | $102,338 |
| 28 | Hagerstown | $90,743 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay in Maryland cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new diagnostic medical sonographers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.
Compare Cities in Maryland
View all comparisons →Explore More Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for diagnostic medical sonographers in Maryland?
How does Maryland diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Maryland?
How many diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland 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 Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 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