Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Buffalo, NY: $102,107 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Buffalo, NY earns a median $102,107/year (≈ $49.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $106,535 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
A diagnostic medical sonographer in Buffalo, NY, can expect to earn a median salary of $102,107 in 2026, a figure that positions the city's compensation slightly above the national median of $101,352. The salary range for professionals in this role varies significantly, from $80,041 at the 10th percentile to $108,812 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This landscape reveals how specialty practices, particularly those aligned with hospital imaging departments, typically offer better pay compared to outpatient imaging centers, such as RadNet and SimonMed. As Buffalo's healthcare infrastructure evolves, sonographers who align with hospitals or seek roles in high-demand specialties stand to benefit the most from this competitive salary range.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,041 | $38.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,742 | $42.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,107 | $49.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,500 | $50.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,812 | $52.32 |
Median Salary Position
0.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,771 (2026 est.). At $102,107, the local median is 0.74% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Buffalo Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $102,107/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $102,517 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +0.74% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $102,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.74% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.40% below the New York state average of $102,517.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 4.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.844 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $102,107 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,535 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,520
2025 BLS Actual
$97,310
2026 Current Est.
$102,107
2019–2027 Growth
+41.9%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,107 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,141 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 28.9% from $75,520 (2019) to $97,310 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,141 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,621 (41.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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) | $80,041 – $87,742 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,742 – $102,107 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,107 – $104,500 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,500 – $108,812 |
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 Buffalo
The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Buffalo is relatively robust, with about 360 professionals currently working in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 95.844, suggesting a favorable environment for take-home pay when compared to the national average. Employers that typically offer higher pay include hospital imaging departments and specialized practices such as cardiology and vascular surgery, while careers in mobile imaging and travel sonography often lead to even higher compensation due to flexible demands and short-term contracts. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include specialty differences, with cardiac sonographers generally earning more than their vascular and OB-GYN counterparts. For those looking to maximize their pay in the Buffalo market, obtaining additional credentials from the ARDMS, such as RDCS or RVT, or pursuing roles with on-call shift differentials could enhance earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Buffalo, NY in 2026?
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Buffalo?
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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 $97,310 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Buffalo 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