Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Albuquerque, NM: $90,576 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Albuquerque, NM earns a median $90,576/year (≈ $43.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Albuquerque's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $94,798 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers in Albuquerque, NM, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $90,576, which is notably lower than the national median of $101,352. The salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $75,193 (P10) and more experienced professionals earning up to $112,516 (P90). According to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, this pay reflects the local job market conditions where specialized roles, especially in cardiac and vascular sonography, may command higher wages due to travel assignments and demand fluctuations. Given the presence of several healthcare systems and imaging centers in Albuquerque, it’s expected that this market will continue to offer growth opportunities for skilled professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,193 | $36.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,971 | $39.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,576 | $43.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,820 | $52.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,516 | $54.09 |
Median Salary Position
10.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, NM, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,323 (2026 est.). At $90,576, the local median is 10.63% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albuquerque: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Albuquerque Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Albuquerque median: $90,576/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albuquerque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $95,645 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -10.63% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $90,576 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.63% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 5.30% below the New Mexico state average of $95,645.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albuquerque has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albuquerque, NM has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $90,576 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,798 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,900
2025 BLS Actual
$86,320
2026 Current Est.
$90,576
2019–2027 Growth
+40.0%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,576 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,041 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albuquerque metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 27.1% from $67,900 (2019) to $86,320 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,041 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,141 (39.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albuquerque 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) | $75,193 – $81,971 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,971 – $90,576 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,576 – $109,820 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,820 – $112,516 |
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 Albuquerque
Within Albuquerque, approximately 260 diagnostic medical sonographers are currently employed, contributing to a stable job market. The cost of living index for the area stands at 95.546, which indicates that expenses are slightly less than the national average, offering a ‘buying power’ advantage for those working in this field. Noteworthy employers include hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging chains such as RadNet and SimonMed, which often provide competitive compensation. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to various factors, including specialty expertise, shift differentials, and the travel sonography premium. For those looking to enhance their earnings, pursuing additional credentials from ARDMS or specializing in high-demand areas like cardiac echo could be beneficial strategies in Albuquerque’s evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Albuquerque, NM in 2026?
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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 $86,320 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Albuquerque 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