Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Oak Ridge, TN: $81,702 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Oak Ridge, TN earns a median $81,702/year (≈ $39.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Oak Ridge's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $89,000 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Ridge, TN, the expected earnings for diagnostic medical sonographers are projected to yield a median annual salary of $81,702 in 2026, reflecting a significant difference from the national average of $101,352. The salary range in this area spans from $57,280 at the 10th percentile to $110,083 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust potential for income variation. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, suggest that while the base compensation may trail the national average, local market dynamics play a crucial role in shaping the earning potential for sonographers. The market shows a clear trend where those specializing in cardiac echocardiography can command higher pay than general sonographers, further influencing job competitiveness in Oak Ridge.
About the Oak Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,280 | $27.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,337 | $32.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,702 | $39.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,768 | $42.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,083 | $52.93 |
Median Salary Position
19.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Ridge
In Oak Ridge, TN, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,803 (2026 est.). At $81,702, the local median is 19.39% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Ridge Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Oak Ridge median: $81,702/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $83,284 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -19.39% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Oak Ridge, TN earn a median of $81,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.39% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $83,284.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Ridge has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oak Ridge, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $81,702 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,000 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,911
2025 BLS Actual
$77,863
2026 Current Est.
$81,702
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Oak Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,911 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,201 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,668 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,578 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,093 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,849 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,863 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,702 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,730 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Ridge metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $59,911 (2019) to $77,863 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,730 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,819 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Ridge 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) | $57,280 – $67,337 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,337 – $81,702 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,702 – $88,768 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,768 – $110,083 |
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 Oak Ridge
The local job market in Oak Ridge encompasses a small group of six diagnostic medical sonographers, focusing on specialty services in imaging departments across healthcare facilities. Within this environment, the cost of living index stands at 91.8, indicating a lower-than-average expense compared to the national benchmark, which can enhance take-home pay for professionals in this field. Employers like RadNet and SimonMed, along with local cardiology and vascular surgery practices, typically offer the most competitive compensation. Factors influencing pay disparities include specialization in high-demand areas such as cardiac sonography, as well as shift differentials and travel sonography premiums. To maximize earnings, prospective sonographers in Oak Ridge should consider obtaining additional credentials recognized by the ARDMS and seek roles in higher-paying settings or inquire about opportunities in travel sonography that often provide enhanced compensation.
More salary data for Oak Ridge, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Oak Ridge?
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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 $77,863 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge 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