Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Nebraska: $86,985 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median diagnostic medical sonographer pay sits at $86,985/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2032. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $95,066 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Grand Island ($86,268), Hastings ($86,226), Fremont ($85,759).
In 2026, the average median salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in Nebraska is projected to be $86,985, which is 14.2% lower than the national median of $101,352. Geographic salary variation is evident, with Grand Island being the highest-paying city at $90,521, while Lincoln offers the lowest salary at $85,518, creating a gap of $5,003 between these locations. This difference may arise from variations in the cost of living, healthcare demand, and the concentration of medical facilities in each area. Nebraska has specific licensing requirements for sonographers, including certification that aligns with national standards. The scope of practice laws here allow sonographers to perform a range of diagnostic imaging procedures, contributing to a steady demand for professionals in this field. With a projected annual growth rate of 4.93%, the job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Nebraska is expected to continue expanding, indicating consistent opportunities for employment. As of now, there are 706 diagnostic medical sonographers in the state, predominantly concentrated in areas like Grand Island, Hastings, Fremont, Bellevue, and Kearney. The outlook for this career path remains promising, driven by ongoing advancements in medical imaging technology and the increasing need for diagnostic services.
Nebraska Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $61,818 (lowest entry-level) to $122,023 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska diagnostic medical sonographers earn 14.18% less than the national median ($-14,367/year difference).
Nebraska Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Distribution (2026)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salaries in Nebraska range from $70,771 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $109,992 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $86,985. The Nebraska median is $14,367 below the US national median of $101,352. The average hourly rate is $41.82/hr. Approximately 706 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,978
2025 BLS Actual
$82,898
2026 Current Est.
$86,985
2019–2027 Growth
+42.7%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,978 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,072 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,666 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,547 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,415 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,072 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,898 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,985 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,273 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 29.6% from $63,978 (2019) to $82,898 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,273 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,295 (42.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Lincoln | $85,518 |
| North Platte | $86,235 |
| Papillion | $86,263 |
| La Vista | $86,353 |
| Norfolk | $86,368 |
Best Value Cities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for diagnostic medical sonographers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island | $90,521 | 91.5 | $98,930 |
| Hastings | $90,477 | 91.5 | $98,882 |
| Fremont | $89,987 | 91.5 | $98,346 |
| Bellevue | $89,801 | 91.5 | $98,143 |
| Kearney | $89,304 | 91.5 | $97,600 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $70,771 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $86,985 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $109,992 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Island | $90,521 |
| 2 | Hastings | $90,477 |
| 3 | Fremont | $89,987 |
| 4 | Bellevue | $89,801 |
| 5 | Kearney | $89,304 |
| 6 | Scottsbluff | $88,996 |
| 7 | Omaha | $87,008 |
| 8 | Columbus | $86,598 |
| 9 | Norfolk | $86,368 |
| 10 | La Vista | $86,353 |
| 11 | Papillion | $86,263 |
| 12 | North Platte | $86,235 |
| 13 | Lincoln | $85,518 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay in Nebraska cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new diagnostic medical sonographers.
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 Nebraska in 2026?
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How does Nebraska diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Nebraska?
How many diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska 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 Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 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