Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in St. Petersburg, FL: $85,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in St. Petersburg, FL earns a median $85,704/year (≈ $41.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in St. Petersburg's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $85,024 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Petersburg, a diagnostic medical sonographer salary averages $85,704 in 2026, illustrating a competitive market for professionals in the field. The salary spectrum in this city ranges from $60,168 at the 10th percentile to $121,961 at the 90th percentile, reflecting variations based on experience and specialization. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for the region's cost of living. Cardiac and vascular specialists benefit significantly from this local premium, as demand for echocardiography skills remains robust across healthcare settings. As a popular retirement destination, St. Petersburg's job market for medical sonographers looks promising, especially given the expected growth rate of 4.93% annually over the next five years.
About the St. Petersburg Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,168 | $28.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,215 | $34.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,704 | $41.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,101 | $45.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,961 | $58.63 |
Median Salary Position
15.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Petersburg
In St. Petersburg, FL, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,793 (2026 est.). At $85,704, the local median is 15.44% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Petersburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Petersburg Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
St. Petersburg median: $85,704/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Petersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $86,048 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -15.44% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in St. Petersburg, FL earn a median of $85,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.44% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.40% below the Florida state average of $86,048.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Petersburg has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Petersburg, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,704 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,024 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,845
2025 BLS Actual
$81,677
2026 Current Est.
$85,704
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in St. Petersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,845 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,198 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,737 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,428 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,415 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,677 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,929 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Petersburg metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $62,845 (2019) to $81,677 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,929 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,084 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Petersburg 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) | $60,168 – $71,215 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,215 – $85,704 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,704 – $95,101 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,101 – $121,961 |
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 St. Petersburg
In evaluating the job landscape in St. Petersburg, there are currently 42 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the area, which provides a modest but stable workforce. The cost-of-living index is 100.8, slightly above the national average, influencing the effective purchasing power for take-home salaries in this coastal city. Hospitals and outpatient imaging centers, such as RadNet and SimonMed, typically offer the highest pay, especially for those with advanced specialty credentials like RDCS or RVT. Factors that contribute to wage discrepancies include subspecialty expertise, shift differentials, and the premium for travel sonographers. To maximize their earning potential, professionals should seek opportunities in high-demand areas like cardiac ultrasound and negotiate for call coverage pay or supervisor roles where applicable. Understanding these local dynamics will be crucial for those wondering how much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in St. Petersburg FL.
More salary data for St. Petersburg, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in St. Petersburg?
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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 $81,677 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the St. Petersburg 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
Salary data for St. Petersburg 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