Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Austin, TX: $102,842 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Austin, TX earns a median $102,842/year (≈ $49.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $104,870 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.7% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers in Austin, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $102,842, which reflects a slight increase over the national median of $101,352 for the same year. The salary range for this profession varies considerably, with those at the 10th percentile earning about $66,935, while the top 90th percentile can earn as much as $120,040. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, suggests that the city's salary structure is influenced by several factors, including the choice between employment in hospital imaging departments and outpatient chains, which has significant implications for overall pay. Austin's job market for diagnostic medical sonographers remains robust, bolstered by a growing healthcare sector that supports a competitive salary environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,935 | $32.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,835 | $39.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,842 | $49.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,973 | $51.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,040 | $57.71 |
Median Salary Position
1.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,105 (2026 est.). At $102,842, the local median is 1.47% above the national median of $101,352.
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How Austin Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Austin median: $102,842/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $86,640 | +18.70% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +1.47% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Austin, TX earn a median of $102,842 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.47% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 18.70% above the Texas state average of $86,640.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $102,842 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,870 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,940
2025 BLS Actual
$98,010
2026 Current Est.
$102,842
2019–2027 Growth
+47.9%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,842 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,912 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 34.4% from $72,940 (2019) to $98,010 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,912 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,972 (47.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $66,935 – $81,835 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,835 – $102,842 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,842 – $107,973 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,973 – $120,040 |
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 Austin
With approximately 500 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in Austin, the local job market demonstrates stability and growth potential, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.93%. The cost of living index in the area stands at 98.066, indicating that the purchasing power for salaries is relatively favorable compared to the national average. Top-paying employers typically include hospital imaging departments, which often offer higher salaries than outpatient centers like RadNet or SimonMed. Factors contributing to the salary variability are specialization—cardiac sonographers tend to command the highest pay, followed by vascular and OB-GYN specialties—as well as shift differentials and opportunities for advancement into supervisory roles. To maximize pay in the Austin market, professionals should consider obtaining specialized credentials from ARDMS, as advanced certifications can open doors to higher-income positions and enhance negotiating power.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 $98,010 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Austin 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