Sonographer Pay

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Worcester, MA: $109,285 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Worcester, MA earns a median $109,285/year (≈ $52.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Worcester's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.5), that paycheck buys what $106,596 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Massachusetts state average.

$109,285
Median Annual Salary
$52.54/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$102,632
Entry Level (P10)
$139,609
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Worcester, MA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Worcester, MA diagnostic medical sonographer salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers in Worcester, Massachusetts, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $109,285, which is approximately 7.83% higher than the national median of $101,352. The full salary range for professionals in this field varies significantly, with a lower boundary at $102,632 and an upper limit of $139,609. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and highlights the competitive earning potential that can be achieved in specialized areas. Given the region's healthcare landscape, cardiac sonographers often see the highest compensation, reflecting their advanced skill set and the critical nature of their work in hospital imaging departments and specialty practices.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$102,632$49.35
Lower Range (P25)$104,311$50.15
Median (P50)(typical)$109,285$52.54
Upper Range (P75)$129,200$62.12
Top Earners (P90)$139,609$67.12

Median Salary Position

$101,352$139,609
City Median: $109,285
National: $101,352
P10–P90 Range

7.83% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Worcester

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for diagnostic medical sonographers in Worcester. The median salary is $109,285, compared to the national median of $101,352.$91.2K$105.1K$118.9K$132.7K$146.6K$102.6K10th Pctl$104.3K25th Pctl$109.3KMedian$129.2K75th Pctl$139.6K90th PctlUS Median$101.4K

In Worcester, MA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,977 (2026 est.). At $109,285, the local median is 7.83% above the national median of $101,352.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of diagnostic medical sonographer pay in the Worcester metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,102
per week
$9,107
per month
$109,280
per year

At 40 hours/week in Worcester: You'd be in the entry-level range

How Worcester Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares

Worcester median: $109,285/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryWorcester Pays
Massachusetts Average$109,944-0.60% less
National Average$101,352+7.83% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing diagnostic medical sonographer median salary in Worcester ($109,285) with Massachusetts average ($109,944) and the US national median ($101,352).Worcester$109,285Massachusetts Avg$109,944-0.60%US National$101,352+7.83%

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Worcester, MA earn a median of $109,285 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.83% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $109,944.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$109,285
Nominal Salary
102.523
CoL Index
$106,596
Adjusted Salary

Worcester has a cost of living 2.52% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $109,285. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 102.523, the purchasing-power equivalent is $106,596, a loss of $2,689.$86.1K$96.0K$105.9K$115.8K$125.7K$109,285NominalSalary$106,596CoL Adjusted(CoL: 102.523) -2.46%US Median $101.4K

Worcester, MA has a cost-of-living index of 102.523 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $109,285 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $106,596 — a 2.46% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$77,770

2025 BLS Actual

$104,150

2026 Current Est.

$109,285

2019–2027 Growth

+47.5%

Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Worcester (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for diagnostic medical sonographers in Worcester. Baseline $77,770 in 2025, projected to $114,672 by 2027.$70.4K$83.3K$96.2K$109.1K$122.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$77.8K$81.9K$78.6K$88.7K$94.8K$99.5K$104.2K$109.3K$114.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$77,770Actual
2020$81,862Actual
2021$78,570Actual
2022$88,740Actual
2023$94,840Actual
2024$99,460Actual
2025$104,150Actual
2026(current)$109,285Estimated
2027$114,672Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Worcester metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 33.9% from $77,770 (2019) to $104,150 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,672 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,902 (47.45%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Worcester metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$102,632$104,311
3-5 years (Mid Career)$104,311$109,285
5+ years (Experienced)$109,285$129,200
10+ years (Top Earner)$129,200$139,609

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 Worcester

The local job market in Worcester is robust, with around 290 diagnostic medical sonographers currently employed. This number demonstrates a healthy demand for professionals in the field, though it is tempered by a cost-of-living index of 102.523, which may impact overall purchasing power. Employers like RadNet and SimonMed in outpatient imaging centers tend to offer some of the highest wages, closely followed by cardiology and vascular surgery practices. Factors influencing pay discrepancies include specialty areas, with cardiac echo sonographers earning premium salaries, while the potential for shift differentials, call coverage, and travel assignments can also contribute to higher earnings. To maximize earning potential in this competitive market, professionals should consider obtaining additional certifications through the ARDMS, targeting roles in high-demand specialties, and exploring opportunities with companies that prioritize competitive compensation packages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Worcester, MA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Worcester is $109,285/year ($52.54/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.93% annual growth). Salaries range from $102,632 at entry level (10th percentile) to $139,609 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Worcester at 7.8% above the national median. Full-time diagnostic medical sonographers typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Worcester, MA a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Worcester diagnostic medical sonographer salaries are 7.8% above the national average and 0.6% below the Massachusetts state average. The metro area employs approximately 290 diagnostic medical sonographers. With a cost-of-living index of 102.523, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Worcester?

Yes — the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Worcester is already $109,285, meaning more than half of diagnostic medical sonographers here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $139,609/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Worcester?

After adjusting for Worcester's cost-of-living index of 102.523 (where 100 equals the national average), the $109,285 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $106,596 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Worcester reduce the effective value of your salary by 2.5% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make per hour in Worcester?

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Worcester earn a median hourly rate of $52.54, which translates to approximately $109,285/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $49.35 for entry-level positions to $67.12 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem diagnostic medical sonographers sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RDMS, RTData verified by Maria Gonzalez, ARDMS, RVT

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 $104,150 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Worcester 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, 6-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

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