Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Winchester, VA: $87,585 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Winchester, VA earns a median $87,585/year (≈ $42.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Winchester's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $90,809 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winchester, Virginia, the anticipated median annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in 2026 is projected at $87,585. This figure shows a contrast with the national median salary of $101,352, positioning Winchester approximately 13.58% lower than the national average. The salary range for this field extends from $76,148 at the 10th percentile to $106,640 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variability in compensation based on factors such as experience, specialization, and employer type. Such salary estimates are derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and project a robust growth forecast of 4.93% per annum in the local job market. For sonographers focusing on cardiac and vascular specialties, the travel sonography premium often elevates their earnings, reflecting the demand and the essential nature of their skill set in the healthcare system.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,148 | $36.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,329 | $41.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,585 | $42.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,436 | $48.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,640 | $51.27 |
Median Salary Position
13.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winchester
In Winchester, VA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,492 (2026 est.). At $87,585, the local median is 13.58% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winchester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winchester Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Winchester median: $87,585/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $92,001 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -13.58% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Winchester, VA earn a median of $87,585 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.58% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 4.80% below the Virginia state average of $92,001.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winchester has a cost of living 3.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winchester, VA has a cost-of-living index of 96.45 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $87,585 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,809 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.68% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$76,780
2025 BLS Actual
$83,470
2026 Current Est.
$87,585
2019–2027 Growth
+19.7%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Winchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,585 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winchester metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 8.7% from $76,780 (2019) to $83,470 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,123 (19.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winchester 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) | $76,148 – $85,329 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,329 – $87,585 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,585 – $101,436 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,436 – $106,640 |
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 Winchester
The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Winchester is relatively stable, with about 40 professionals currently employed in this role. Given the cost-of-living index of 96.45, which is below the national average, take-home pay provides reasonable purchasing power in this locality. Employers such as hospitals and outpatient imaging centers, including RadNet and SimonMed, tend to offer some of the highest salaries, particularly for specialized roles dealing with cardiac and vascular cases. The variance in pay can also be influenced by factors such as shift differentials, call coverage rates, and the additional premium for travel assignments. To maximize earnings in this market, professionals may consider pursuing advanced credentials through the ARDMS and specializing in high-demand areas. Seeking opportunities with mobile imaging companies or travel agencies can further enhance compensation prospects for sonographers in this region.
More salary data for Winchester, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Winchester, VA in 2026?
Is Winchester, VA a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Winchester?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Winchester?
How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make per hour in Winchester?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $83,470 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Winchester 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, 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