Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Raleigh, NC: $90,376 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Raleigh, NC earns a median $90,376/year (≈ $43.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $92,073 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, North Carolina, the projected diagnostic medical sonographer salary for 2026 stands at $90,376, which reflects a competitive compensation framework compared to the national average of $101,352. This salary ranges from $76,494 at the lower end (P10) to a high of $114,772 (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, reveal that professionals in outpatient imaging centers may experience lower compensation than those employed in hospital settings, where the potential for earning increases significantly. This disparity is reflective of the structural differences in pay and responsibilities, shaping the local employment landscape for sonographers within the healthcare sector in Raleigh.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,494 | $36.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,199 | $40.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,376 | $43.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,496 | $49.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,772 | $55.18 |
Median Salary Position
10.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,278 (2026 est.). At $90,376, the local median is 10.83% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $90,376/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,659 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | -10.83% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $90,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.83% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 3.10% above the North Carolina state average of $87,659.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $90,376 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,073 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,850
2025 BLS Actual
$86,130
2026 Current Est.
$90,376
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,376 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 26.9% from $67,850 (2019) to $86,130 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,982 (39.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $76,494 – $83,199 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,199 – $90,376 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,376 – $102,496 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,496 – $114,772 |
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 Raleigh
As of now, approximately 430 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in Raleigh, benefiting from a cost of living index of 98.157, which suggests that salaries here go further than in many other regions. Leading employers include hospital imaging departments that often provide higher salaries compared to outpatient chains like RadNet and SimonMed, as well as specialized OB-GYN and cardiology practices. Factors driving the salary range include specialties, with cardiac sonographers generally receiving the highest pay tier, followed closely by vascular and OB-GYN sonographers. Additionally, benefits such as shift differentials and premiums for travel sonography can increase overall earnings. Strategies to enhance pay in this market may involve pursuing specialty credentials like RDCS or RVT, and gaining experience across various imaging applications, thus positioning oneself favorably in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 $86,130 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Raleigh 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