Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Leland, NC: $81,371 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Leland, NC earns a median $81,371/year (≈ $39.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Leland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $86,935 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those working as diagnostic medical sonographers in Leland, North Carolina, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $81,371, which is notably lower than the national median of $101,352. The local salary range for this profession spans from $62,880 at the 10th percentile to $102,637 at the 90th percentile, indicating a variety of pay scales dependent on experience and specialization. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, reflecting regional price adjustments for the area. Leland's job market, although modest with just six diagnostic medical sonographers employed, does provide opportunities, particularly for cardiac and vascular specialists, who often benefit from a travel sonography premium that can significantly boost earnings.
About the Leland Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,880 | $30.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,785 | $34.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,371 | $39.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,530 | $43.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,637 | $49.35 |
Median Salary Position
19.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leland
In Leland, NC, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,757 (2026 est.). At $81,371, the local median is 19.71% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Leland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Leland Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Leland median: $81,371/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Leland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,590 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -19.71% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Leland, NC earn a median of $81,371 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.71% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 7.10% below the North Carolina state average of $87,590.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Leland has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Leland, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $81,371 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,935 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,668
2025 BLS Actual
$77,548
2026 Current Est.
$81,371
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Leland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,668 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,953 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,414 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,312 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,817 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,796 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,548 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,371 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,383 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leland metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $59,668 (2019) to $77,548 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,383 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,715 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leland 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) | $62,880 – $70,785 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,785 – $81,371 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,371 – $89,530 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,530 – $102,637 |
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 Leland
The local job market for diagnostic medical sonographers appears relatively stable, supported by a cost-of-living index of 93.6 that enhances purchasing power compared to national averages. Among employers, hospital imaging departments, outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and specialized clinics provide the highest salaries within Leland. Factors influencing the variance in pay include the specific area of specialization—cardiac sonographers typically see higher pay than their vascular or OB-GYN counterparts—and the potential for evening or on-call shifts, which often come with added compensation. To maximize earning potential in this market, professionals should consider gaining certification in high-demand specialties and seeking positions with travel sonography agencies, which are known to offer competitive rates, especially for those willing to cover gaps in healthcare services across the region.
More salary data for Leland, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $77,548 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Leland 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 Leland 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