Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Galveston, TX: $86,942 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Galveston, TX earns a median $86,942/year (≈ $41.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Galveston's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $90,565 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galveston, TX, the projected salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in 2026 stands at $86,942, illustrating a significant difference from the national median of $101,352. This local compensation reflects a salary range that spans from $59,638 at the 10th percentile to $115,328 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, which consider regional cost adjustments as well. The prevailing pay rates here indicate that there is a pronounced gradient between specialties; for instance, cardiac echo sonographers tend to command higher salaries compared to their general sonography counterparts. The job market in Galveston appears stable, providing a decent livelihood for the small cohort of 10 diagnostic medical sonographers currently employed in the area.
About the Galveston Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,638 | $28.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,756 | $34.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,942 | $41.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,161 | $46.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,328 | $55.45 |
Median Salary Position
14.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galveston
In Galveston, TX, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,690 (2026 est.). At $86,942, the local median is 14.22% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galveston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galveston Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Galveston median: $86,942/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galveston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $86,682 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | -14.22% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Galveston, TX earn a median of $86,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.22% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $86,682.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galveston has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Galveston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $86,942 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,565 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,753
2025 BLS Actual
$82,857
2026 Current Est.
$86,942
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,753 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,126 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,687 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,784 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,965 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,857 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,942 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,228 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galveston metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $63,753 (2019) to $82,857 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,228 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,475 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galveston 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) | $59,638 – $70,756 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,756 – $86,942 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,942 – $96,161 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,161 – $115,328 |
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 Galveston
The local job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Galveston is shaped by a cost of living index of 96, which indicates a purchasing power that is slightly better than national averages. Employers playing a pivotal role in shaping remuneration include hospital imaging departments, outpatient imaging centers, and specialized practices such as cardiology and OB-GYN. The stark contrast in pay can be attributed to several factors, including specialization—with cardiac sonographers generally earning more than vascular or OB sonographers—and variations in working conditions, such as shift differentials and call coverage. Travel sonography positions also offer attractive premiums that can significantly enhance overall income. To optimize earnings in this specific market, pursuing certifications in high-demand specialties and staying informed about potential employment opportunities with higher-paying employers can be effective strategies for maximizing pay as a diagnostic medical sonographer in Galveston.
More salary data for Galveston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Galveston, TX in 2026?
Is Galveston, TX a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Galveston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Galveston?
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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 $82,857 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Galveston 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 Galveston 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