Sonographer Pay

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Missouri: $100,337 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median diagnostic medical sonographer pay sits at $100,337/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2032. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $111,983 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($100,450), St. Louis ($98,990), St. Joseph ($96,240).

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Missouri - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Missouri diagnostic medical sonographer salary overview (2026)
$100,337
Avg Median Salary
$48.24
Avg Hourly Rate
1,950
Metro Employed
33
Cities

In Missouri, the projected average median salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in 2026 is $100,337, which is slightly below the national median of $101,352, reflecting a difference of 1.0%. Salaries vary significantly across the state, with Kansas City offering the highest average at $105,402 and Cape Girardeau the lowest at $85,444, creating a gap of $19,958. This disparity is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and variations in the number of facilities offering sonography services in urban versus rural areas. Missouri requires diagnostic medical sonographers to be licensed, which involves meeting education and certification standards. The scope of practice laws allow sonographers to perform a range of diagnostic imaging techniques, contributing to the profession's demand. The job market for sonographers in Missouri is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.93%, indicating strong demand in upcoming years. Key metropolitan areas such as St. Louis and St. Joseph also offer competitive salaries, projected at $103,870 and $100,985 respectively, while Independence and St. Peters follow with salaries of $94,814 and $94,121. The overall employment in this field is projected to be approximately 1,950 professionals by 2026, further highlighting the robust outlook for sonographers in the state.

Missouri Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$78,293
avg across 33 cities
Median
$100,337
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$118,566
avg across 33 cities

Overall salary range in Missouri: $62,131 (lowest entry-level) to $134,134 (highest top earner)

Missouri vs National Average

Missouri
$100,337
National Median
$101,352

Missouri diagnostic medical sonographers earn 1% less than the national median ($-1,015/year difference).

Missouri Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Missouri diagnostic medical sonographer salary percentiles: 10th percentile $78,293, 25th $84,442, Median $100,337, 75th $106,739, 90th $118,566. US national median is $101,352.$33.2K$66.4K$99.6K$132.8K$78.3K10thEntry Level$84.4K25thEarly Career$100.3KMedianMid Career$106.7K75thExperienced$118.6K90thTop EarnerUS Median $101.4K

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salaries in Missouri range from $78,293 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $118,566 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $100,337. The Missouri median is $1,015 below the US national median of $101,352. The average hourly rate is $48.24/hr. Approximately 1,950 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed across 33 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$73,533

2025 BLS Actual

$95,623

2026 Current Est.

$100,337

2019–2027 Growth

+43.2%

Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Missouri (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 Missouri. Baseline $73,533 in 2025, projected to $105,284 by 2027.$67.2K$78.3K$89.4K$100.5K$111.6K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$73.5K$75.0K$76.3K$80.5K$85.2K$88.0K$95.6K$100.3K$105.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$73,533Actual
2020$74,957Actual
2021$76,266Actual
2022$80,533Actual
2023$85,178Actual
2024$88,012Actual
2025$95,623Actual
2026(current)$100,337Estimated
2027$105,284Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $73,533 (2019) to $95,623 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,284 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,751 (43.18%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Missouri

#1
Kansas City
660 employed · $50.68/hr
$105,402
+5.05% vs avg
#2
St. Louis
730 employed · $49.94/hr
$103,870
+3.52% vs avg
#3
St. Joseph
40 employed · $48.55/hr
$100,985
+0.65% vs avg
#4
Independence
30 employed · $45.58/hr
$94,814
-5.50% vs avg
#5
St. Peters
9 employed · $45.25/hr
$94,121
-6.20% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri

CityMedian Salary
Cape Girardeau$85,444
Springfield$85,507
Hannibal$85,728
Raymore$86,007
Joplin$86,032

Best Value Cities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Missouri

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for diagnostic medical sonographers.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
St. Joseph$100,98586.382$116,905
Kansas City$105,40292.543$113,895
St. Louis$103,87095.088$109,236
Independence$94,81489.6$105,819
St. Peters$94,12189.6$105,046

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Missouri

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$78,293
Mid Career (3-7 years)$100,337
Experienced (7+ years)$118,566

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 33 Cities in Missouri

#CityMedian Salary
1Kansas City$105,402
2St. Louis$103,870
3St. Joseph$100,985
4Independence$94,814
5St. Peters$94,121
6St. Charles$93,944
7Columbia$92,905
8O'Fallon$92,856
9Florissant$92,370
10Wildwood$92,167
11Kirkwood$92,140
12Lee's Summit$92,089
13Chesterfield$92,075
14University City$91,592
15Liberty$91,557
16Grandview$91,397
17Maryland Heights$91,246
18Blue Springs$90,214
19Raytown$89,674
20Webster Groves$89,227
21Sedalia$89,200
22Ballwin$89,040
23Nixa$89,032
24Gladstone$88,795
25Wentzville$88,586
26Jefferson City$88,506
27Belton$87,837
28Branson$86,335
29Joplin$86,032
30Raymore$86,007
31Hannibal$85,728
32Springfield$85,507
33Cape Girardeau$85,444

More Missouri Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay in Missouri cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new diagnostic medical sonographers.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Compare Cities in Missouri

View all comparisons →

Explore More Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Missouri in 2026?

The average median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Missouri is $100,337/year across 33 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $85,444 in Cape Girardeau to $105,402 in Kansas City. This makes Missouri 1% below the national median of $101,352. The state employs approximately 1,950 diagnostic medical sonographers.

What is the highest paying city for diagnostic medical sonographers in Missouri?

Kansas City offers the highest diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Missouri at $105,402/year ($50.68/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Kansas City ($105,402), St. Louis ($103,870), St. Joseph ($100,985). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for sonography services, and competition among employers for licensed diagnostic medical sonographers.

How does Missouri diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?

Missouri's average diagnostic medical sonographer salary of $100,337 is 1% below the national median of $101,352 in 2026. The state employs approximately 1,950 diagnostic medical sonographers across 33 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Missouri?

Entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers (10th percentile) in Missouri earn approximately $78,293/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $62,131 in lower-paying areas to $83,230 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in Missouri?

Missouri employs approximately 1,950 diagnostic medical sonographers across 33 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the sonography field expands and the population ages.

Which Missouri city offers the best value for diagnostic medical sonographers?

When adjusted for cost of living, St. Joseph offers the highest purchasing power for diagnostic medical sonographers in Missouri, with an adjusted salary of $116,905 (nominal: $100,985, CoL index: 86.382). This means your dollar goes 16% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
AK

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

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 Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 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

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