Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Waco, TX: $84,038 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Waco, TX earns a median $84,038/year (≈ $40.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Waco's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $90,803 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waco, Texas, diagnostic medical sonographers have a median annual salary of $84,038, reflecting the choices of structural employment within the healthcare system, particularly between hospitals and outpatient imaging centers. The salary range is quite broad, spanning from $69,117 at the lower end to $111,918 for higher pay tiers. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights that the local compensation is approximately 17.08% lower than the national median of $101,352. Factors such as the type of employer—whether a hospital or a more specialized outpatient facility—can greatly impact earnings, shaping the job market climate in Waco.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,117 | $33.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,573 | $39.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,038 | $40.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,950 | $49.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,918 | $53.81 |
Median Salary Position
17.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,801 (2026 est.). At $84,038, the local median is 17.08% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waco Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Waco median: $84,038/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $86,638 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -17.08% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Waco, TX earn a median of $84,038 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.08% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 3.00% below the Texas state average of $86,638.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco has a cost of living 7.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $84,038 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,803 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,850
2025 BLS Actual
$80,090
2026 Current Est.
$84,038
2019–2027 Growth
+19.4%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,038 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,182 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 8.4% from $73,850 (2019) to $80,090 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,182 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,332 (19.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $69,117 – $81,573 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,573 – $84,038 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,038 – $101,950 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,950 – $111,918 |
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 Waco
Looking at the employment landscape in Waco, there are only 30 diagnostic medical sonographers working in the area, which emphasizes a relatively small job market. Coupled with a cost-of-living index at 92.55, Waco offers a favorable living situation for residents, making take-home pay somewhat more impactful. Among the local employers, hospital imaging departments generally provide better earnings compared to outpatient chains like RadNet or SimonMed. The variance in pay from $33.23 to $53.81 can largely be attributed to specialty areas, with cardiac sonographers commanding a premium, followed by vascular and OB specialties. Additionally, those willing to take on call coverage or travel positions often see significant financial benefits. For sonographers in Waco, pursuing ARDMS certifications and enhancing skills in these specialized areas can lead to better compensation opportunities in this evolving market.
More salary data for Waco, 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 $80,090 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Waco 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