Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Houston, TX: $99,788 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Houston, TX earns a median $99,788/year (≈ $47.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Houston's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.6), that paycheck buys what $101,175 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.1% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, Texas, diagnostic medical sonographers can anticipate a median annual salary of $99,788 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $101,352. The salary range for this role in the Houston area spans from $74,868 at the 10th percentile to $111,740 at the 90th percentile, reflecting various levels of expertise and specialization. With local demand for skilled professionals driving the market, sonographers who focus on advanced fields like cardiac echo tend to command the highest salaries, benefiting from the increased complexity associated with the job. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys projected for 2026, highlighting a competitive landscape for diagnostic medical sonographers in Houston as they navigate diverse employment settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,868 | $35.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,158 | $41.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,788 | $47.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,570 | $50.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,740 | $53.72 |
Median Salary Position
1.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houston
In Houston, TX, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,872 (2026 est.). At $99,788, the local median is 1.54% below the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in Houston: You'd be above the median
How Houston Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Houston median: $99,788/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $86,697 | +15.10% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | -1.54% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Houston, TX earn a median of $99,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.54% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 15.10% above the Texas state average of $86,697.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houston has a cost of living 1.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.629 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $99,788 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,175 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,440
2025 BLS Actual
$95,100
2026 Current Est.
$99,788
2019–2027 Growth
+44.5%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,788 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,708 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houston metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 31.3% from $72,440 (2019) to $95,100 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,708 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,268 (44.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston 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) | $74,868 – $86,158 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,158 – $99,788 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,788 – $105,570 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,570 – $111,740 |
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 Houston
The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Houston remains robust, with approximately 1,670 professionals employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 98.629, indicating that living expenses are slightly below the national average, which enhances the take-home purchasing power for sonographers. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers such as RadNet and SimonMed, in addition to specialized practices like cardiology and vascular surgery. The salary variance seen in Houston can be attributed to multiple factors such as specialty focus—where cardiac sonographers generally surpass their vascular and OB-GYN counterparts in pay—as well as shift differentials, call coverage, and potential income from temporary or contract positions in travel sonography. For those entering or advancing in the field, pursuing specialized credentials from the ARDMS and gaining experience in high-demand areas can be key strategies for maximizing earning potential in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Houston, 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 $95,100 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Houston 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