Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Staunton, VA: $88,196 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Staunton, VA earns a median $88,196/year (≈ $42.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $85,461 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Staunton, VA, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect a 2026 median annual salary of $88,196, which reflects a notable variance when compared to the national median of $101,352. The local salary range spans from $66,128 at the 10th percentile to $114,672 at the 90th percentile. Such figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, reveal a pay differentiation that may particularly benefit those specializing in cardiac echocardiography. This specialty tends to yield higher compensation than general sonography practices, potentially shaping the career trajectories of professionals in Staunton, where the job market currently employs just five diagnostic medical sonographers.
About the Staunton Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,128 | $31.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,586 | $36.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,196 | $42.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,866 | $46.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,672 | $55.13 |
Median Salary Position
12.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,544 (2026 est.). At $88,196, the local median is 12.98% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Staunton Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Staunton median: $88,196/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $91,966 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -12.98% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Staunton, VA earn a median of $88,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.98% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 4.10% below the Virginia state average of $91,966.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,196 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,461 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,673
2025 BLS Actual
$84,052
2026 Current Est.
$88,196
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,673 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,065 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,649 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,505 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,136 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,052 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,196 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,544 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $64,673 (2019) to $84,052 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,544 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,871 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $66,128 – $75,586 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,586 – $88,196 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,196 – $96,866 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,866 – $114,672 |
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 Staunton
With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, Staunton presents a slightly elevated living expense compared to the national average, influencing take-home purchasing power for healthcare workers. Outpatient imaging centers and hospital imaging departments are often the top employers in the area, with cardiovascular and vascular specialty practices typically offering the most competitive rates among local providers. The variation in salaries can be attributed to factors such as specific imaging specialties, shift differentials, and opportunities in travel sonography, which often come with premiums. For those seeking to maximize their diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Staunton, aiming for specialty certifications like RDCS or RVT, along with considering roles that offer additional responsibilities or overtime, could enhance earnings significantly.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Staunton, VA in 2026?
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Staunton?
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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 $84,052 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Staunton 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 Staunton 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