Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Suffolk, VA: $90,444 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Suffolk, VA earns a median $90,444/year (≈ $43.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Suffolk's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $87,640 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Suffolk, Virginia, the 2026 median annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to be $90,444, which places it about 10.76% lower than the national median of $101,352. Locally, salaries range from $66,463 at the 10th percentile to $125,386 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay landscape. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, reflect the current job market dynamics. With a total of only 15 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in Suffolk, the competitive nature of the market suggests that those with specialized skills, such as cardiac echo credentials, may command higher salaries, particularly in hospital imaging departments compared to outpatient centers.
About the Suffolk Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,463 | $31.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,854 | $36.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,444 | $43.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,926 | $47.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,386 | $60.28 |
Median Salary Position
10.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Suffolk
In Suffolk, VA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,923 (2026 est.). At $90,444, the local median is 10.76% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Suffolk: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Suffolk Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Suffolk median: $90,444/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Suffolk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $92,009 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -10.76% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Suffolk, VA earn a median of $90,444 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.76% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.70% below the Virginia state average of $92,009.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Suffolk has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Suffolk, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,444 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $87,640 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,322
2025 BLS Actual
$86,195
2026 Current Est.
$90,444
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Suffolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,322 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,374 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,595 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,379 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,205 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,195 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,444 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Suffolk metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $66,322 (2019) to $86,195 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,581 (43.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Suffolk 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) | $66,463 – $76,854 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,854 – $90,444 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,444 – $97,926 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,926 – $125,386 |
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 Suffolk
While Suffolk’s cost of living index stands at 103.2, slightly above the national average, it influences how far salaries stretch. With only a handful of employers in the area, including local hospitals and outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, those in the highest-paying roles tend to focus on specialized practices such as cardiology or vascular procedures. Factors contributing to the pay disparity involve specialty training, shift differentials, and travel sonography opportunities. Advancing credentials, engaging in continuing education, and maximizing experience in high-demand areas can significantly enhance earning potential for those entering or progressing in the diagnostic medical sonographer field in Suffolk, VA. Consideration of these strategies is vital for those seeking to optimize their diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Suffolk, VA.
More salary data for Suffolk, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Suffolk?
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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 $86,195 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Suffolk 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 Suffolk 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