Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Johnson City, TN: $82,863 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Johnson City, TN earns a median $82,863/year (≈ $39.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $94,240 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Johnson City, TN, diagnostic medical sonographers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $82,863 in 2026, reflecting a notable gap when compared to the national median of $101,352. The salary range for these professionals extends from $66,578 at the 10th percentile to $107,270 at the 90th percentile, indicating robust earning potential for those who specialize in high-demand fields like cardiac echo. Data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) highlights that the local job market is viable, especially considering the 4.93% annual growth rate expected over the next five years. As a town with specific healthcare needs, Johnson City's compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers can vary significantly, particularly between specialties, emphasizing the advantages of focusing on cardiac imaging for heightened earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,578 | $32.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,682 | $35.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,863 | $39.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,473 | $46.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,270 | $51.57 |
Median Salary Position
18.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,692 (2026 est.). At $82,863, the local median is 18.24% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnson City Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $82,863/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $83,280 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -18.24% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $82,863 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.24% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.50% below the Tennessee state average of $83,280.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $82,863 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,240 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,320
2025 BLS Actual
$78,970
2026 Current Est.
$82,863
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,863 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,948 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 28.8% from $61,320 (2019) to $78,970 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,948 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,628 (41.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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) | $66,578 – $73,682 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,682 – $82,863 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,863 – $96,473 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,473 – $107,270 |
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 Johnson City
Currently, there are about 90 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in Johnson City, making the job market relatively stable despite a cost-of-living index of 87.928 that suggests lower housing and living expenses. This advantageous cost structure enhances the disposable income of sonographers in the area. Employers such as hospital imaging departments, outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and specialized practices in OB-GYN and cardiology typically offer competitive salaries, particularly for those with advanced certifications like RDCS or RVT. Distinctive pay variations often stem from factors including specialty focus—where cardiac sonographers typically command higher wages followed by vascular and OB specialties—shift differentials, and additional incentives linked to travel sonography or leadership roles. To maximize earning potential, new professionals should consider obtaining multiple credentials and pursuing opportunities in higher-paying settings, as these strategies can significantly impact overall compensation in the Johnson City market.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
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 $78,970 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Johnson City 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