Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Columbus, OH: $88,351 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Columbus, OH earns a median $88,351/year (≈ $42.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $92,544 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a diagnostic medical sonographer in Columbus, Ohio, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $88,351. This figure represents a significant factor for specialists in cardiac and vascular sonography, who often benefit from a premium associated with travel positions. Additionally, the salary range for this occupation spans from $68,131 at the 10th percentile to $106,819 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a broad spectrum of earning potential. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, these figures indicate a competitive local market, especially when compared to the projected national median of $101,352. With various employment opportunities available in the region, the demand for skilled sonographers continues to reinforce their value within Columbus's healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,131 | $32.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,941 | $40.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,351 | $42.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,353 | $50.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,819 | $51.35 |
Median Salary Position
12.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, OH, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,688 (2026 est.). At $88,351, the local median is 12.83% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be above the median
How Columbus Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Columbus median: $88,351/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $88,175 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | -12.83% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Columbus, OH earn a median of $88,351 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.83% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.20% above the Ohio state average of $88,175.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 4.53% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.469 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $88,351 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,544 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.75% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$68,180
2025 BLS Actual
$84,200
2026 Current Est.
$88,351
2019–2027 Growth
+36.0%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,351 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,707 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 23.5% from $68,180 (2019) to $84,200 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,527 (35.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $68,131 – $84,941 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,941 – $88,351 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,351 – $104,353 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,353 – $106,819 |
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 Columbus
The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Columbus is robust, with approximately 530 professionals currently employed in the field. A notable factor affecting take-home pay in this area is the relatively low cost-of-living index of 95.469, which enhances purchasing power relative to national averages. Employers such as hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers (like RadNet and SimonMed) tend to offer the highest salaries, primarily driven by the specialization required in areas such as cardiac and vascular sonography. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to various factors, including expertise in high-demand specialties, shift differentials, and additional income from travel assignments. For those looking to maximize their salary, pursuing specialized credentials from organizations like ARDMS and seeking positions at high-paying facilities can significantly enhance earning potential in Columbus.
More salary data for Columbus, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Columbus, OH in 2026?
Is Columbus, OH a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Columbus?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Columbus?
How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make per hour in Columbus?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 $84,200 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Columbus 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