Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Salem, VA: $89,188 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Salem, VA earns a median $89,188/year (≈ $42.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Salem's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $86,422 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salem, Virginia, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect a median annual salary of $89,188 in 2026. This figure is roughly 12% lower than the national average, which stands at $101,352. The salary range for sonographers in the area extends from $61,059 at the 10th percentile to $112,392 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse pay levels linked to experience, specialization, and employment settings. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost considerations, highlight the earning potential of professionals who may have specialized skills, particularly in cardiac and vascular imaging, which command higher pay due to increased demand in Salem's healthcare market.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,059 | $29.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,663 | $37.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,188 | $42.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,713 | $46.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,392 | $54.04 |
Median Salary Position
12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, VA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,333 (2026 est.). At $89,188, the local median is 12% below the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be above the median
How Salem Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Salem median: $89,188/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $91,947 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -12.00% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Salem, VA earn a median of $89,188 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.00% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 3.00% below the Virginia state average of $91,947.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,188 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $86,422 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,401
2025 BLS Actual
$84,998
2026 Current Est.
$89,188
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,401 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,809 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,587 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,333 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,049 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,998 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,188 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,585 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $65,401 (2019) to $84,998 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,585 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,184 (43.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $61,059 – $77,663 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,663 – $89,188 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,188 – $95,713 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,713 – $112,392 |
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 Salem
With only six diagnostic medical sonographers employed in Salem, the local market may feel somewhat limited, yet the cost of living index of 103.2 suggests that salaries must account for a slightly higher-than-average expense of living. Healthcare facilities, including hospital imaging departments and outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed, tend to provide competitive compensation, but variance exists based on specialty fields and specific employer practices. Cardiac sonographers lead the pay scale, followed by vascular, OB-GYN, and abdominal specialists. Factors such as shift differentials, call coverage bonuses, and opportunities for roles in mobile imaging or travel agencies can create wider salary disparities. For those aiming to enhance their earnings in this market, obtaining specialty certifications through ARDMS and actively seeking positions in higher-paying practices is advisable for maximizing potential income.
More salary data for Salem, VA:
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 $84,998 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Salem 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
Salary data for Salem is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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