Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Bellingham, WA: $115,675 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Bellingham, WA earns a median $115,675/year (≈ $55.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $111,943 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $115,675 projected for 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers in Bellingham, WA, enjoy compensation that is notably higher than the national median, which stands at $101,352. Salary ranges for this profession in Bellingham extend from $112,044 at the 10th percentile to $138,812 at the 90th percentile. These figures originate from official BLS OEWS surveys, identifying a robust financial landscape for those specializing in sonography. Notably, cardiac echo specialists often command the highest pay in the field, which influences the overall salary structure in Bellingham's medical imaging sector. As the local job market progresses, interest from advancing healthcare facilities could further enhance opportunities for skilled sonographers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $112,044 | $53.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,044 | $53.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,675 | $55.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,812 | $66.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,812 | $66.74 |
Median Salary Position
14.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,768 (2026 est.). At $115,675, the local median is 14.13% above the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Bellingham Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $115,675/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $113,074 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +14.13% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $115,675 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.13% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 2.30% above the Washington state average of $113,074.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 3.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.334 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $115,675 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $111,943 — a 3.23% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,823
2025 BLS Actual
$110,240
2026 Current Est.
$115,675
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,823 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,649 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,726 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,846 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,407 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,675 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,378 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $84,823 (2019) to $110,240 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,378 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,555 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $112,044 – $112,044 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,044 – $115,675 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,675 – $138,812 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,812 – $138,812 |
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 Bellingham
In Bellingham, approximately 60 diagnostic medical sonographers are currently employed, which supports a competitive job market against the backdrop of a cost-of-living index of 103.334, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average. Employers such as hospital imaging departments and specialized practices in cardiology and obstetrics play significant roles in setting higher salary levels. Factors like specialty training—where cardiac sonographers typically earn more—shift differentials, and travel sonography roles also contribute to the wide salary range observed in this area. Those looking to maximize their pay should consider obtaining specialty credentials from organizations like ARDMS for cardiac or vascular sonography, pursuing positions with mobile imaging companies, or taking on leadership roles that offer premium compensation. Understanding the local market dynamics is key to enhancing earning potential in Bellingham's evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
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 $110,240 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Bellingham 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