Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Virginia: $93,743 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median diagnostic medical sonographer pay sits at $93,743/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2032. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $90,836 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($104,401), Richmond ($95,660), Lynchburg ($95,130).
In Virginia, the projected average median salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in 2026 is $93,743, which falls below the national median of $101,352 by 7.5%. Salaries vary significantly across different cities; for instance, Alexandria offers the highest compensation at $109,548, while Bristol presents the lowest at $80,980. The substantial salary gap of $28,568 between these cities can be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities that employ sonographers. Virginia has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact the profession. Aspiring sonographers must meet these regulations to practice in the state, which ensures a qualified workforce. Demand drivers include healthcare advancements, an aging population, and a growing emphasis on non-invasive diagnostic methods. The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Virginia is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.93%. As of now, there are 1,603 sonographers employed across the state. With significant healthcare investments and increasing need for imaging services, opportunities are anticipated to expand in metropolitan areas such as Richmond, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, and Newport News, which also reflect competitive salaries.
Virginia Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $58,402 (lowest entry-level) to $150,474 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia diagnostic medical sonographers earn 7.51% less than the national median ($-7,609/year difference).
Virginia Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Distribution (2026)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salaries in Virginia range from $75,071 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $115,198 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $93,743. The Virginia median is $7,609 below the US national median of $101,352. The average hourly rate is $45.07/hr. Approximately 1,603 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,889
2025 BLS Actual
$89,339
2026 Current Est.
$93,743
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,889 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,994 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,727 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,091 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,261 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,339 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,743 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,365 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 22.6% from $72,889 (2019) to $89,339 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,365 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,476 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bristol | $80,980 |
| Falls Church | $84,818 |
| Herndon | $86,166 |
| Williamsburg | $87,108 |
| Roanoke | $87,239 |
Best Value Cities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for diagnostic medical sonographers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg | $99,820 | 89.363 | $111,702 |
| Alexandria | $109,548 | 103.2 | $106,151 |
| Richmond | $100,376 | 97.858 | $102,573 |
| Charlottesville | $93,073 | 99.146 | $93,875 |
| Roanoke | $87,239 | 93.618 | $93,186 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $75,071 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $93,743 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $115,198 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $109,548 |
| 2 | Richmond | $100,376 |
| 3 | Lynchburg | $99,820 |
| 4 | Charlottesville | $93,073 |
| 5 | Newport News | $92,703 |
| 6 | Norfolk | $92,258 |
| 7 | Hampton | $91,885 |
| 8 | Centreville | $91,457 |
| 9 | Chesapeake | $91,253 |
| 10 | Blacksburg | $91,229 |
| 11 | Virginia Beach | $90,901 |
| 12 | Burke | $90,837 |
| 13 | Harrisonburg | $90,648 |
| 14 | Suffolk | $90,444 |
| 15 | Tuckahoe | $90,187 |
| 16 | Ashburn | $90,058 |
| 17 | McLean | $90,052 |
| 18 | Reston | $89,956 |
| 19 | Danville | $89,938 |
| 20 | Fredericksburg | $89,553 |
| 21 | Dale City | $89,534 |
| 22 | Manassas | $89,438 |
| 23 | Salem | $89,188 |
| 24 | Leesburg | $89,060 |
| 25 | Portsmouth | $89,009 |
| 26 | Mechanicsville | $88,867 |
| 27 | Springfield | $88,553 |
| 28 | Woodbridge | $88,432 |
| 29 | Sterling | $88,260 |
| 30 | Staunton | $88,196 |
| 31 | Lake Ridge | $88,145 |
| 32 | Linton Hall | $88,046 |
| 33 | Radford | $87,980 |
| 34 | Fairfax | $87,820 |
| 35 | Winchester | $87,585 |
| 36 | Waynesboro | $87,391 |
| 37 | Annandale | $87,274 |
| 38 | Roanoke | $87,239 |
| 39 | Williamsburg | $87,108 |
| 40 | Herndon | $86,166 |
| 41 | Falls Church | $84,818 |
| 42 | Bristol | $80,980 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new diagnostic medical sonographers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.
Compare Cities in Virginia
View all comparisons →Explore More Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for diagnostic medical sonographers in Virginia?
How does Virginia diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Virginia?
How many diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia city offers the best value for diagnostic medical sonographers?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 diagnostic medical sonographer compensation across Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 metro areas — larger metro areas with more diagnostic medical sonographerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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