Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Madison, WI: $106,987 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Madison, WI earns a median $106,987/year (≈ $51.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $109,970 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, the pay for diagnostic medical sonographers reflects the specialized skills and growing demand in healthcare, with a median annual salary projected at $106,987 for 2026. This figure positions Madison's compensation approximately 5.56% higher than the national median of $101,352. The salary range for this role spans from $102,212 at the 10th percentile to $133,513 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy variation that rewards experience and specialization. These insights are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and underscore the potential for both job security and financial reward for those in this field, especially for cardiac echo specialists, who typically dominate the higher end of the pay spectrum.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,212 | $49.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,140 | $50.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,987 | $51.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,974 | $58.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,513 | $64.19 |
Median Salary Position
5.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,301 (2026 est.). At $106,987, the local median is 5.56% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Madison Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Madison median: $106,987/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $108,616 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +5.56% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Madison, WI earn a median of $106,987 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.56% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 1.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $108,616.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $106,987 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,970 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,170
2025 BLS Actual
$101,960
2026 Current Est.
$106,987
2019–2027 Growth
+40.0%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,987 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,261 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 27.2% from $80,170 (2019) to $101,960 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,261 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,091 (40.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $102,212 – $105,140 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,140 – $106,987 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,987 – $120,974 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,974 – $133,513 |
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 Madison
The local job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Madison comprises around 210 professionals, reflecting a robust demand for quality imaging services in various healthcare settings. With a cost-of-living index of 97.287, aspiring sonographers can enjoy a relatively affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, which provides a distinct advantage in take-home purchasing power. Employers such as hospital imaging departments, outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and specialized practices in areas like cardiology and vascular surgery often offer competitive pay. The disparity in salaries can be influenced by factors such as specialty focus, with cardiac and vascular sonographers typically earning more than their OB-GYN or abdominal counterparts, as well as considerations for shift differentials and on-call pay. For those looking to maximize earnings in the Madison market, seeking certifications through ARDMS, targeting specialized roles, and considering travel sonography opportunities can provide strategic pathways to higher compensation.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Madison?
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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 $101,960 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Madison 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