Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in La Vergne, TN: $38.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in La Vergne, TN runs $38.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,531 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against La Vergne's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,719 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Vergne, TN, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay is pegged at a median of $38.24, which falls short of the national hourly median of $48.73. This disparity highlights the financial landscape for part-time and per diem professionals in the field. For those working three days a week, the commitment is typically about 24 hours, allowing them to earn a stable income while maintaining flexibility. Entry-level sonographers can expect to earn around $28.43 per hour, while seasoned professionals can command rates as high as $49.53 per hour, depending on experience and specialized credentials. The various settings for these clinicians—spanning hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient centers, and mobile imaging vans—create a diverse range of opportunities, influencing overall compensation in this sector.
About the La Vergne Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.43 | $227.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.59 | $260.73 |
| Median (P50) | $38.24 | $305.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.76 | $334.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.53 | $396.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Vergne
Based on $38.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.24/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Vergne, TN can expect to earn approximately $79,532 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,884. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Vergne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Vergne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,529.46 | $6,628 | $79,532 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $917.68 | $3,977 | $47,719 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $611.78 | $2,651 | $31,813 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (La Vergne) | $38.24 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $35.27 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (National Avg) | $46.68 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist (National Avg) | $33.92 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in La Vergne, TN earn a median of $79,531 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.53% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 4.50% below the Tennessee state average of $83,278.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.24/hr = $47,719/year (purchasing power: $51,982).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,532/year (purchasing power: $86,636).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in La Vergne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in La Vergne grew 30.0% from $28.04/hr (2019) to $36.44/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.12/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem diagnostic medical sonographers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Vergne 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.
Working as an Hourly Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in La Vergne
Part-time sonographers in La Vergne may discover that working just three days a week nets them a reliable income that can effectively range from approximately $44,000 to $50,000 annually, depending on the exact hours worked and any additional shifts taken. For those considering per-diem positions, the pay may be significantly higher, with rates typically ranging from $55 to $80 per hour, particularly for specialized roles such as cardiac echo sonographers who can make between $70 and $95 per hour. Travel sonographers can further capitalize on earnings, with contracts offering between $2,000 and $3,200 weekly. Employment type also influences hourly rates; hospital positions often come with health benefits, prompting some sonographers to accept lower rates compared to higher-paying per-diem jobs that lack these perks. Negotiating an hourly wage can be crucial; potential employees should be prepared to discuss their qualifications, including any ARDMS certifications, to secure compensation that reflects their skills and the market demand in La Vergne.
More salary data for La Vergne, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in La Vergne in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for diagnostic medical sonographers in La Vergne. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for La Vergne 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