Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in McAllen, TX: $82,013 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in McAllen, TX earns a median $82,013/year (≈ $39.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in McAllen's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $95,481 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers in McAllen, Texas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $82,013, which reflects a significant gap compared to the national median of $101,352 for the same year. This regional figure falls within a salary range from $63,409 at the 10th percentile to $104,028 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial earning potential based on experience and specialization. These figures, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight not only the competitive salaries in the area but also the increase in opportunities as the local health care sector continues to grow, particularly for cardiac and vascular specialists who may receive a premium for travel assignments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,409 | $30.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,190 | $36.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,013 | $39.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,915 | $43.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,028 | $50.01 |
Median Salary Position
19.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McAllen
In McAllen, TX, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,619 (2026 est.). At $82,013, the local median is 19.08% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in McAllen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How McAllen Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
McAllen median: $82,013/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | McAllen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $86,695 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -19.08% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in McAllen, TX earn a median of $82,013 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.08% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 5.40% below the Texas state average of $86,695.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
McAllen has a cost of living 14.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
McAllen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.895 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $82,013 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,481 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.42% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,990
2025 BLS Actual
$78,160
2026 Current Est.
$82,013
2019–2027 Growth
+17.9%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in McAllen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,013 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,057 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the McAllen metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 7.1% from $72,990 (2019) to $78,160 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,057 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,067 (17.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McAllen 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) | $63,409 – $76,190 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,190 – $82,013 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,013 – $89,915 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,915 – $104,028 |
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 McAllen
The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in McAllen shows promise, with approximately 180 professionals currently employed in the region. The cost of living index stands at 85.895, suggesting that salaries can stretch further than in many other market areas, providing improved purchasing power despite the apparently lower salaries compared to national averages. Employers such as hospital imaging departments and outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed tend to offer the most competitive pay. The disparity in earnings is influenced by various factors, including specialties—where cardiac sonographers typically earn more than their vascular and OB-GYN counterparts—and shift differentials for on-call work. For candidates considering entry or advancement in this market, pursuing advanced credentials through organizations like ARDMS, especially in sought-after specialties, can enhance earning potential and job security while capitalizing on the growth trajectory of medical sonography in McAllen, TX.
More salary data for McAllen, 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 $78,160 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the McAllen 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