Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Kingsport, TN: $79,159 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Kingsport, TN earns a median $79,159/year (≈ $38.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $91,569 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kingsport, Tennessee, the compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers reflects a median annual salary of $79,159, which is notably lower than the national median of $101,352. The salary range spans from $56,578 at the 10th percentile to $101,677 at the 90th percentile, highlighting variations based on experience, specialization, and employment setting. This data is derived from the official BLS OEWS surveys, illustrating the pay gradient that exists between cardiac echo sonographers, who typically command the highest salaries, and those working in general sonography roles. The Kingsport job market offers unique opportunities influenced by local healthcare demands, making it essential for professionals to consider specialty training as a pathway to maximizing their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,578 | $27.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,480 | $32.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,159 | $38.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,218 | $41.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,677 | $48.89 |
Median Salary Position
21.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,099 (2026 est.). At $79,159, the local median is 21.9% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be above the median
How Kingsport Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $79,159/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $83,238 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -21.90% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $79,159 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.90% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 4.90% below the Tennessee state average of $83,238.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.447 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $79,159 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,569 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.68% 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
$59,740
2025 BLS Actual
$75,440
2026 Current Est.
$79,159
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,974 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,159 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,062 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 26.3% from $59,740 (2019) to $75,440 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,062 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,322 (39.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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) | $56,578 – $67,480 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,480 – $79,159 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,159 – $87,218 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,218 – $101,677 |
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 Kingsport
The local job market for diagnostic medical sonographers shows a stable employment trend, with around 110 professionals currently working in the area. Given the cost of living index in Kingsport, which stands at 86.447, residents may find their take-home pay offers decent purchasing power compared to many national averages. Employers such as hospital imaging departments and cardiology practices are often among the highest payers for sonographers, as these settings typically require specialized skills that are in high demand. Factors contributing to the salary spread include expertise in certain specialties—such as cardiac over vascular or OB-GYN—and shift differentials that result from on-call responsibilities. Those looking to advance their careers and salaries should consider obtaining additional certifications such as RDMS or RDCS, which can set them apart and lead to significantly higher diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Kingsport, TN.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Kingsport, TN in 2026?
Is Kingsport, TN a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Kingsport?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Kingsport?
How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make per hour in Kingsport?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $75,440 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Kingsport 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, 6-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