Sonographer Pay

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Palm Bay, FL: $87,029 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Palm Bay, FL earns a median $87,029/year (≈ $41.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Palm Bay's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $87,025 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Florida state average.

$87,029
Median Annual Salary
$41.85/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$71,971
Entry Level (P10)
$100,376
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Palm Bay, FL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Palm Bay, FL diagnostic medical sonographer salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Palm Bay, Florida, the projected median salary for a diagnostic medical sonographer is $87,029 in 2026, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This compensation reflects a competitive pay scale when viewed alongside the national median of $101,352. The salary range for sonographers in this region varies from $71,971 at the 10th percentile to $100,376 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the significant earning potential for specialized roles, particularly within cardiac sonography. As the healthcare landscape evolves, the demand for skilled sonographers remains strong in Palm Bay, providing a robust job market for new graduates and experienced professionals alike.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$71,971$34.61
Lower Range (P25)$83,178$39.99
Median (P50)(typical)$87,029$41.85
Upper Range (P75)$100,376$48.26
Top Earners (P90)$100,376$48.26

Median Salary Position

$71,971$101,352
City Median: $87,029
National: $101,352
P10–P90 Range

14.13% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palm Bay

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for diagnostic medical sonographers in Palm Bay. The median salary is $87,029, compared to the national median of $101,352.$64.8K$75.2K$85.6K$96.0K$106.4K$72.0K10th Pctl$83.2K25th Pctl$87.0KMedian$100.4K75th Pctl$100.4K90th PctlUS Median$101.4K

In Palm Bay, FL, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,405 (2026 est.). At $87,029, the local median is 14.13% below the national median of $101,352.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of diagnostic medical sonographer pay in the Palm Bay metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,674
per week
$7,253
per month
$87,040
per year

At 40 hours/week in Palm Bay: You'd be above the median

How Palm Bay Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares

Palm Bay median: $87,029/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryPalm Bay Pays
Florida Average$85,997+1.20% more
National Average$101,352-14.13% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing diagnostic medical sonographer median salary in Palm Bay ($87,029) with Florida average ($85,997) and the US national median ($101,352).Palm Bay$87,029Florida Avg$85,997+1.20%US National$101,352-14.13%

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $87,029 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.13% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.20% above the Florida state average of $85,997.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$87,029
Nominal Salary
100.005
CoL Index
$87,025
Adjusted Salary

Palm Bay has a cost of living 0.00% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $87,029. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 100.005, the purchasing-power equivalent is $87,025, a loss of $4.$74.0K$84.6K$95.3K$105.9K$116.6K$87,029NominalSalary$87,025CoL Adjusted(CoL: 100.005) -0.00%US Median $101.4K

Palm Bay, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.005 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,029 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $87,025 — a 0% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$71,050

2025 BLS Actual

$82,940

2026 Current Est.

$87,029

2019–2027 Growth

+28.5%

Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Palm Bay (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for diagnostic medical sonographers in Palm Bay. Baseline $71,050 in 2025, projected to $91,319 by 2027.$66.9K$74.0K$81.1K$88.3K$95.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$71.0K$71.0K$75.0K$75.7K$78.9K$80.3K$82.9K$87.0K$91.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$71,050Actual
2020$70,960Actual
2021$75,040Actual
2022$75,660Actual
2023$78,930Actual
2024$80,300Actual
2025$82,940Actual
2026(current)$87,029Estimated
2027$91,319Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palm Bay metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 16.7% from $71,050 (2019) to $82,940 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,319 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,269 (28.53%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Bay metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$71,971$83,178
3-5 years (Mid Career)$83,178$87,029
5+ years (Experienced)$87,029$100,376
10+ years (Top Earner)$100,376$100,376

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 Palm Bay

The local job market employs approximately 320 diagnostic medical sonographers, signaling a healthy demand relative to the size of the population. With a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 100.005, sonographers in Palm Bay must consider how their earnings will impact purchasing power. Employers in this area, including hospital imaging departments and outpatient centers like RadNet and SimonMed, tend to offer competitive salaries, especially for roles in cardiac and vascular specialties, which typically yield higher pay than their OB-GYN or general sonography counterparts. Factors influencing pay ranges include specialization, such as those with RDCS or RVT credentials who may earn premium rates, along with shift differentials and the potential for extra compensation in travel sonography roles. Maximizing pay in Palm Bay may involve pursuing advanced certifications, targeting specialized career paths, and exploring opportunities for leadership positions or vendor specialist roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Palm Bay, FL in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Palm Bay is $87,029/year ($41.85/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.93% annual growth). Salaries range from $71,971 at entry level (10th percentile) to $100,376 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Palm Bay at 14.1% below the national median. Full-time diagnostic medical sonographers typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Palm Bay, FL a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Palm Bay diagnostic medical sonographer salaries are 14.1% below the national average and 1.2% above the Florida state average. The metro area employs approximately 320 diagnostic medical sonographers. With a cost-of-living index of 100.005, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Palm Bay?

Top-earning diagnostic medical sonographers in Palm Bay (90th percentile) make $100,376/year, which exceeds $100K. The median is $87,029. To reach six figures, diagnostic medical sonographers typically need 5–10+ years of experience combined with specialty certifications and expanded-function credentials.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Palm Bay?

After adjusting for Palm Bay's cost-of-living index of 100.005 (where 100 equals the national average), the $87,029 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $87,025 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Palm Bay reduce the effective value of your salary by 0.0% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make per hour in Palm Bay?

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Palm Bay earn a median hourly rate of $41.85, which translates to approximately $87,029/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $34.61 for entry-level positions to $48.26 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem diagnostic medical sonographers sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RDMS, RTData verified by Maria Gonzalez, ARDMS, RVT

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 $82,940 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Palm Bay 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

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