Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Charlottesville, VA: $93,073 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Charlottesville, VA earns a median $93,073/year (≈ $44.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Charlottesville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 99.1), that paycheck buys what $93,875 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a diagnostic medical sonographer in Charlottesville, Virginia, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $93,073, which is approximately 8.17% lower than the national median of $101,352 for this profession. The salary range for this role in the city is quite varied, from $72,213 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $145,276 (P90) for more experienced sonographers or those specializing in more lucrative areas such as cardiac echo. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the earning potential for local professionals in comparison to their counterparts across the nation, while also reflecting the impact of local market dynamics on compensation rates.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,213 | $34.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,487 | $42.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,073 | $44.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,465 | $55.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,276 | $69.84 |
Median Salary Position
8.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville, VA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,063 (2026 est.). At $93,073, the local median is 8.17% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlottesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlottesville Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Charlottesville median: $93,073/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlottesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $91,969 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | -8.17% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $93,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.17% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.20% above the Virginia state average of $91,969.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlottesville has a cost of living 0.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlottesville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 99.146 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $93,073 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,875 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,249
2025 BLS Actual
$88,700
2026 Current Est.
$93,073
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,249 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,718 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,705 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,073 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,661 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $68,249 (2019) to $88,700 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,661 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,412 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville 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) | $72,213 – $88,487 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,487 – $93,073 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,073 – $115,465 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,465 – $145,276 |
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 Charlottesville
The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Charlottesville is stable, with approximately 100 individuals currently employed in this role. With a cost-of-living index of 99.146, the purchasing power in Charlottesville remains favorable, allowing a competitive lifestyle for those in this profession. Employers such as hospital imaging departments and specialized outpatient centers, including RadNet and SimonMed, tend to offer the highest compensation packages. The variation in pay is influenced by factors such as specialty—cardiac sonographers typically earn the most, followed closely by vascular and OB-GYN practitioners—as well as additional incentives like shift differentials and premiums for travel assignments. For those looking to maximize their income in this market, pursuing additional credentials from the ARDMS or targeting roles in cardiology and vascular surgery can be advantageous for advancing their earning potential in the local economy.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Charlottesville, VA in 2026?
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Charlottesville?
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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 $88,700 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Charlottesville 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, 2-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