Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Tennessee: $86,746 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median diagnostic medical sonographer pay sits at $86,746/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2032. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $94,495 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashville ($89,710), Franklin ($88,630), Murfreesboro ($88,120).
In 2026, the average median salary for a diagnostic medical sonographer in Tennessee is projected to be $86,746, which is 14.4% lower than the national median of $101,352. The salary landscape varies significantly across the state, with Nashville leading at $94,133, while Tullahoma presents the lowest at $76,939. This $17,194 gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services in urban areas, and the concentration of medical facilities. Tennessee's specific factors affecting the job market include state licensing requirements that set standards for practice, which impact the overall workforce and regulations influencing scope of practice. As healthcare demand increases, particularly in metropolitan areas, a 4.93% annual growth rate in employment for sonographers is anticipated, reflecting the broader trend in the industry. Top earning cities such as Franklin ($92,999) and Murfreesboro ($92,464) also highlight better opportunities compared to Memphis ($87,018) and Jackson ($86,043). Overall, the job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Tennessee shows promise, with growing employment opportunities driven by the expanding healthcare sector.
Tennessee Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $49,118 (lowest entry-level) to $125,498 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee diagnostic medical sonographers earn 14.41% less than the national median ($-14,606/year difference).
Tennessee Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Distribution (2026)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salaries in Tennessee range from $63,847 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $107,084 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $86,746. The Tennessee median is $14,606 below the US national median of $101,352. The average hourly rate is $41.70/hr. Approximately 1,898 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,364
2025 BLS Actual
$82,670
2026 Current Est.
$86,746
2019–2027 Growth
+37.2%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,364 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,883 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,012 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,708 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,004 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,016 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,746 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,022 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 24.6% from $66,364 (2019) to $82,670 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,022 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,658 (37.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tullahoma | $76,939 |
| Sevierville | $78,618 |
| Maryville | $79,071 |
| Cookeville | $79,124 |
| Kingsport | $79,159 |
Best Value Cities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for diagnostic medical sonographers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | $92,999 | 91.8 | $101,306 |
| Murfreesboro | $92,464 | 91.8 | $100,723 |
| Jackson | $86,043 | 85.522 | $100,609 |
| Nashville | $94,133 | 96.338 | $97,711 |
| Memphis | $87,018 | 92.179 | $94,401 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $63,847 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $86,746 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $107,084 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $94,133 |
| 2 | Franklin | $92,999 |
| 3 | Murfreesboro | $92,464 |
| 4 | Memphis | $87,018 |
| 5 | Jackson | $86,043 |
| 6 | Smyrna | $84,171 |
| 7 | Bartlett | $83,749 |
| 8 | Collierville | $83,458 |
| 9 | Knoxville | $83,272 |
| 10 | Johnson City | $82,863 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $82,819 |
| 12 | Chattanooga | $82,548 |
| 13 | Morristown | $82,457 |
| 14 | Clarksville | $82,352 |
| 15 | Lebanon | $81,708 |
| 16 | Oak Ridge | $81,702 |
| 17 | Cleveland | $81,333 |
| 18 | Columbia | $81,152 |
| 19 | Germantown | $81,049 |
| 20 | Hendersonville | $80,886 |
| 21 | Gallatin | $80,745 |
| 22 | Brentwood | $80,325 |
| 23 | Shelbyville | $79,701 |
| 24 | Mount Juliet | $79,699 |
| 25 | La Vergne | $79,531 |
| 26 | Kingsport | $79,159 |
| 27 | Cookeville | $79,124 |
| 28 | Maryville | $79,071 |
| 29 | Sevierville | $78,618 |
| 30 | Tullahoma | $76,939 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new diagnostic medical sonographers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for diagnostic medical sonographers in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Tennessee?
How many diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for diagnostic medical sonographers?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 diagnostic medical sonographer compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more diagnostic medical sonographerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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