Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Kearney, NE: $89,304 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Kearney, NE earns a median $89,304/year (≈ $42.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $97,600 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, the projected diagnostic medical sonographer salary in 2026 is $89,304, which reflects a competitive yet slightly lower pay scale than the national median of $101,352. Sonographers here experience a salary range from $67,218 at the 10th percentile to $117,083 at the 90th percentile, suggesting variability based on factors such as specialty and experience. The landscape for diagnostic medical sonographers in Kearney is further defined by the cardiac echo specialty, which consistently earns higher wages compared to general sonography and other fields. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and illustrate the dynamics of the local job market where other factors such as cost of living and demand shape overall compensation.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,218 | $32.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,006 | $37.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,304 | $42.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,404 | $47.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,083 | $56.29 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,865 (2026 est.). At $89,304, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Kearney median: $89,304/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $92,735 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -11.89% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Kearney, NE earn a median of $89,304 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $92,735.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $89,304 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,600 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,485
2025 BLS Actual
$85,108
2026 Current Est.
$89,304
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,485 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,895 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,499 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,429 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,965 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,108 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,304 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,707 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $65,485 (2019) to $85,108 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,222 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $67,218 – $77,006 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,006 – $89,304 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,304 – $98,404 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,404 – $117,083 |
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 Kearney
Currently, Kearney employs just nine diagnostic medical sonographers, the limited number of professionals contributing to a relatively competitive employment market. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, sonographers may find their purchasing power a bit stretched, emphasizing the importance of positioning for optimal earnings. Local employers, especially hospitals and specialized imaging centers, tend to pay the highest for experienced sonographers. Factors influencing the pay gradient include specialty focus, with cardiac sonographers leading in earnings, along with the potential for shift differentials and premium income from travel positions. Those looking to maximize their earnings should consider obtaining specialty credentials through ARDMS, especially in lucrative fields like cardiac and vascular sonography, which could greatly enhance their value in the Kearney job market.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 $85,108 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Kearney 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
Salary data for Kearney is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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