Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Ithaca, NY: $107,721 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Ithaca, NY earns a median $107,721/year (≈ $51.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Ithaca's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $104,263 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Ithaca, New York, is witnessing an attractive landscape for those entering the field of diagnostic medical sonography, particularly in the realm of cardiac echo specialization, which typically commands the highest salaries. In 2026, professionals in this city can expect a median annual salary of $107,721, which surpasses the national median of $101,352 by 6.28%. Salary ranges for diagnostic medical sonographers here vary significantly, from $87,039 at the 10th percentile to $120,460 for those at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights a healthy job market for sonographers, suggesting a strong demand for skilled practitioners in Ithaca.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,039 | $41.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,721 | $51.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,721 | $51.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,742 | $51.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,460 | $57.91 |
Median Salary Position
6.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ithaca
In Ithaca, NY, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,421 (2026 est.). At $107,721, the local median is 6.28% above the national median of $101,352.
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How Ithaca Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Ithaca median: $107,721/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ithaca Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $102,494 | +5.10% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +6.28% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Ithaca, NY earn a median of $107,721 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.28% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 5.10% above the New York state average of $102,494.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ithaca has a cost of living 3.32% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ithaca, NY has a cost-of-living index of 103.317 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $107,721 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,263 — a 3.21% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,990
2025 BLS Actual
$102,660
2026 Current Est.
$107,721
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,691 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,462 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,721 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,032 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ithaca metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $78,990 (2019) to $102,660 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,032 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,042 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ithaca 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) | $87,039 – $107,721 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,721 – $107,721 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,721 – $107,742 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,742 – $120,460 |
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 Ithaca
While approximately 50 diagnostic medical sonographers are currently employed in Ithaca, the cost of living index, at 103.317, indicates that living expenses are slightly above the national average. This reality means that while the reported salaries can appear competitive, purchasing power may differ. Employers that typically offer higher pay include hospital imaging departments, with outpatient imaging centers and specialized practices such as cardiology remaining competitive due to demand for expertise in particular modalities. The disparity in earnings can also be attributed to various factors, including specialty skills, shift differentials, and premiums for travel sonography roles. To maximize potential earnings, prospective sonographers should consider obtaining multiple credentials through ARDMS, diversifying their skill sets, and exploring temporary positions in high-demand areas where pay is often elevated.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Ithaca, NY in 2026?
Is Ithaca, NY a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Ithaca?
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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 $102,660 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Ithaca 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, 4-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