Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Cleveland, OH: $86,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Cleveland, OH earns a median $86,609/year (≈ $41.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $92,213 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers in Cleveland, Ohio, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $86,609, which is lower than the national median of $101,352. The local salary range extends from $68,163 at the 10th percentile to $106,189 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variability in compensation based on factors such as experience and specialization. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, reflects the region's evolving job market, particularly in terms of employer structure. Sonographers working in hospital imaging departments often enjoy higher wages compared to those in outpatient imaging centers, driven by institutional funding levels and the complexity of services offered.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,163 | $32.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,101 | $40.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,609 | $41.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,950 | $49.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,189 | $51.05 |
Median Salary Position
14.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,026 (2026 est.). At $86,609, the local median is 14.55% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $86,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $88,197 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -14.55% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $86,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.55% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.80% below the Ohio state average of $88,197.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $86,609 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,213 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,260
2025 BLS Actual
$82,540
2026 Current Est.
$86,609
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,879 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 19.2% from $69,260 (2019) to $82,540 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,879 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,619 (31.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $68,163 – $84,101 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,101 – $86,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,609 – $101,950 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,950 – $106,189 |
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 Cleveland
Cleveland's local job market includes approximately 710 diagnostic medical sonographers, and the cost of living index sits at 93.923, suggesting that take-home wages may stretch further here than in more expensive cities. Notably, employers that tend to offer competitive pay include hospitals, specialized OB-GYN practices, and cardiac imaging facilities, as these areas often require advanced sonographic skills and specialty credentials like RDCS or RVT. The pay discrepancies are influenced by factors such as specialty focus, with cardiac sonographers typically earning the highest salaries, followed by those in vascular and OB-GYN fields. To maximize earning potential, professionals in Cleveland might consider seeking opportunities in travel sonography or positions that offer shift differentials or supervisory roles to enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
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 $82,540 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Cleveland 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