Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Norfolk, NE: $86,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Norfolk, NE earns a median $86,368/year (≈ $41.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Norfolk's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $94,391 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Norfolk, Nebraska, the typical compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to reach a median salary of $86,368 in 2026. This figure reflects a challenging contrast to the national median of $101,352, marking a difference of nearly 14.78%. In terms of pay variability, local sonographers can expect salaries ranging from $66,789 at the 10th percentile to as high as $109,407 for those at the 90th percentile. These local estimates account for specific economic conditions and price adjustments in the region, illustrating the unique employment landscape for sonographers in Norfolk. As the demand for healthcare services grows, particularly within specialized fields such as cardiac echo, this profession remains vital to the local medical community.
About the Norfolk Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,789 | $32.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,439 | $36.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,368 | $41.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,484 | $44.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,407 | $52.60 |
Median Salary Position
14.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norfolk
In Norfolk, NE, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,618 (2026 est.). At $86,368, the local median is 14.78% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Norfolk: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Norfolk Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Norfolk median: $86,368/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norfolk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $92,769 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -14.78% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Norfolk, NE earn a median of $86,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.78% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 6.90% below the Nebraska state average of $92,769.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norfolk 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.
Norfolk, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $86,368 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,391 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,332
2025 BLS Actual
$82,310
2026 Current Est.
$86,368
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Norfolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,332 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,696 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,247 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,323 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,982 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,764 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,626 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norfolk metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $63,332 (2019) to $82,310 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,626 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,294 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norfolk 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) | $66,789 – $75,439 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,439 – $86,368 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,368 – $93,484 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,484 – $109,407 |
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 Norfolk
The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Norfolk is relatively small but focused, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. This limited workforce meets the needs of several medical settings, including hospitals and outpatient imaging centers. The local cost of living, indexed at 91.5, suggests that salaries stretch further in Norfolk compared to areas with higher living costs, enhancing overall purchasing power. Notably, institutions such as hospital imaging departments and specialized cardiology practices tend to offer the highest wages, fueled by specialties like cardiac echo, which typically command premium pay rates. Factors influencing pay disparity include shift differentials and the financial benefits associated with specialties and roles in management. Aspiring sonographers can best position themselves for higher salaries by pursuing advanced certifications, particularly those offered by ARDMS, and by gaining experience in sought-after areas like cardiac and vascular sonography, which could lead to more lucrative opportunities within Norfolk's healthcare facilities.
More salary data for Norfolk, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Norfolk?
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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 $82,310 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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