Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $90,816 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $90,816/year (≈ $43.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $97,026 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the financial landscape for diagnostic medical sonographers is shaped significantly by the type of healthcare facility they work for. The projected median annual salary stands at $90,816, which is notably lower than the national median of $101,352. Local earnings vary greatly, with estimates ranging from $58,443 at the 10th percentile to $125,391 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse job market influenced by specialization and the setting of employment. The data presented here is based on 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, illustrating that factors such as hospital imaging departments versus outpatient centers can directly affect pay scales and advancement opportunities in Winston-Salem.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,443 | $28.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,379 | $34.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,816 | $43.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,070 | $49.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,391 | $60.28 |
Median Salary Position
10.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,948 (2026 est.). At $90,816, the local median is 10.4% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston-Salem Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $90,816/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,660 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | -10.40% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $90,816 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.40% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $87,660.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem 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.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $90,816 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,026 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,594
2025 BLS Actual
$86,549
2026 Current Est.
$90,816
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,594 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,028 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,659 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,893 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,689 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,664 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,549 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,816 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,293 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $66,594 (2019) to $86,549 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,293 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,699 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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) | $58,443 – $71,379 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,379 – $90,816 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,816 – $102,070 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,070 – $125,391 |
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 Winston-Salem
With 59 diagnostic medical sonographers currently employed in the Winston-Salem area, the local job market shows solid stability despite variations in compensation. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.6, suggesting that salaries provide reasonable purchasing power compared to national standards. Hospitals generally offer the highest salaries, followed closely by outpatient imaging centers such as RadNet and SimonMed, while practices specializing in cardiac care tend to pay more than those focused on OB-GYN. Factors influencing pay disparity include specialty areas, with cardiac sonographers earning top-tier wages, and additional incentives for roles that require on-call shift work or supervisory responsibilities. To maximize earning potential, pursuing advanced ARDMS credentials, particularly in cardiac and vascular specialties, along with seeking employment in hospitals or high-demand outpatient settings, can significantly enhance diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Winston-Salem, NC.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Winston-Salem, NC in 2026?
Is Winston-Salem, NC a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Winston-Salem?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Winston-Salem?
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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 $86,549 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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