Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $99,306 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Philadelphia, PA earns a median $99,306/year (≈ $47.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Philadelphia's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $96,833 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.5% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Philadelphia, the average annual compensation for a diagnostic medical sonographer is projected to reach $99,306 in 2026. This figure positions the city slightly below the national median of $101,352, indicating a competitive, yet slightly lower market for sonographers in the region. The salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $84,500 and top-tier roles commanding up to $121,341. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, reflects the dynamic market for diagnostic medical professionals in Philadelphia, underscoring the importance of specialization—particularly in cardiac echocardiography, which tends to yield higher salaries compared to general sonography.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,500 | $40.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,519 | $42.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,306 | $47.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,910 | $51.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,341 | $58.34 |
Median Salary Position
2.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, PA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,841 (2026 est.). At $99,306, the local median is 2.02% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Philadelphia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Philadelphia Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Philadelphia median: $99,306/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Philadelphia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $84,516 | +17.50% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | -2.02% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $99,306 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.02% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 17.50% above the Pennsylvania state average of $84,516.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Philadelphia has a cost of living 2.55% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Philadelphia, PA has a cost-of-living index of 102.554 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,306 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,833 — a 2.49% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,180
2025 BLS Actual
$94,640
2026 Current Est.
$99,306
2019–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,306 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,202 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 34.9% from $70,180 (2019) to $94,640 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,202 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,022 (48.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Philadelphia 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) | $84,500 – $88,519 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,519 – $99,306 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,306 – $107,910 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,910 – $121,341 |
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 Philadelphia
Currently, Philadelphia employs approximately 1,660 diagnostic medical sonographers, a number reflective of a stable demand within the healthcare sector. However, the cost of living index indicates a slightly elevated living expense at 102.554, which means that take-home salaries may need to stretch further. Certain employers, including hospital imaging departments and specialized practices in cardiology or vascular surgery, typically offer higher wages. Factors contributing to the broad pay spectrum include specialty credentials, shift differentials, and the premium for travel sonography roles. To maximize earning potential in this market, candidates are encouraged to pursue advanced certifications such as RDCS or RVT, focus on high-demand specialties, and consider roles with imaging companies like RadNet or SimonMed, which have reshaped the local competitive landscape.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
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 $94,640 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Philadelphia 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