Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Pawtucket, RI: $101,747 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Pawtucket, RI earns a median $101,747/year (≈ $48.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Pawtucket's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $101,241 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a diagnostic medical sonographer earns a median annual salary of $101,747 in 2026, slightly above the national average of $101,352. This salary reflects a competitive range, with the lower 10% earning about $69,208 and the top 90% making up to $140,828. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living considerations, reveal a lucrative opportunity for specialized sonographers. Notably, those specializing in cardiac and vascular imaging can leverage travel sonography premiums, enhancing their overall earnings in this market, which supports a modest number of 16 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the area.
About the Pawtucket Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,208 | $33.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,287 | $39.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,747 | $48.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,941 | $53.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,828 | $67.70 |
Median Salary Position
0.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pawtucket
In Pawtucket, RI, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,620 (2026 est.). At $101,747, the local median is 0.39% above the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in Pawtucket: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pawtucket Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Pawtucket median: $101,747/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pawtucket Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $101,849 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +0.39% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Pawtucket, RI earn a median of $101,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.39% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 0.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $101,849.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pawtucket has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pawtucket, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,747 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,241 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,610
2025 BLS Actual
$96,967
2026 Current Est.
$101,747
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Pawtucket (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,216 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,043 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,668 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,351 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,967 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,747 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,764 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pawtucket metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $74,610 (2019) to $96,967 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,764 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,154 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pawtucket 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) | $69,208 – $82,287 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,287 – $101,747 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,747 – $111,941 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,941 – $140,828 |
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 Pawtucket
The local job market for diagnostic medical sonographers is shaped by a cost of living index of 100.5, suggesting a slightly elevated financial landscape for residents compared to the national average. Hospitals and specialized outpatient imaging centers, such as RadNet and SimonMed, tend to offer the highest compensation packages, particularly in departments focusing on cardiology and vascular surgery. Factors contributing to the variation in diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Pawtucket RI include specialty focus—cardiac sonographers typically earn the most—shift differentials, and opportunities to work with mobile imaging companies. To maximize earning potential, individuals should consider targeting high-paying employers, obtaining certifications through ARDMS, and exploring roles that involve supervisory responsibilities or application support on the vendor side.
More salary data for Pawtucket, RI:
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 $96,967 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket 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