Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Lincoln, NE: $85,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Lincoln, NE earns a median $85,518/year (≈ $41.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $93,380 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect to earn a median annual salary of $85,518 in 2026, reflecting a notable disparity when compared to the national median of $101,352. The salary range for professionals in this field varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $65,907 and experienced sonographers earning up to $107,417. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which indicates the local job market remains competitive, particularly for specialized roles like cardiac sonography that command higher pay compared to general sonography. As the demand for skilled sonographers continues to grow, Lincoln’s healthcare sector is well-positioned to offer rewarding career opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,907 | $31.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,859 | $38.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,518 | $41.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,161 | $45.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,417 | $51.65 |
Median Salary Position
15.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,510 (2026 est.). At $85,518, the local median is 15.62% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $85,518/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $92,753 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -15.62% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $85,518 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.62% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 7.80% below the Nebraska state average of $92,753.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $85,518 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,380 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,480
2025 BLS Actual
$81,500
2026 Current Est.
$85,518
2019–2027 Growth
+43.6%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,734 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.4% from $62,480 (2019) to $81,500 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,734 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,254 (43.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $65,907 – $80,859 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,859 – $85,518 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,518 – $95,161 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,161 – $107,417 |
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 Lincoln
The job outlook for diagnostic medical sonographers in Lincoln is supported by a workforce of about 100 professionals in the area, combined with a cost-of-living index of 91.581, which suggests that salaries provide a solid purchasing power relative to the national average. Employers such as hospital imaging departments, OB-GYN practices, and outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed generally offer the highest salaries. The variance in pay can largely be attributed to specialty areas, with cardiac sonographers typically earning more than those focusing on vascular or abdominal imaging. Additionally, factors like shift differentials, call coverage, and travel opportunities can further enhance compensation. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Lincoln's marketplace, pursuing additional certifications from the ARDMS, targeting higher-paying specialties, and exploring roles in management or vendor support may yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Lincoln?
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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 $81,500 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Lincoln 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, 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