Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Iowa City, IA: $91,226 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Iowa City, IA earns a median $91,226/year (≈ $43.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $99,691 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Iowa City, the 2026 median annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers is $91,226, reflecting the area's competitive healthcare landscape. This figure is somewhat lower than the national median of $101,352, which translates to about a 9.99% difference. Local salaries range from a projected $76,053 at the 10th percentile to $113,943 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy salary distribution for professionals in this field. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlights how structural choices in employment, such as working for hospital imaging departments versus outpatient centers, can significantly affect compensation. As such, job seekers in Iowa City who specialize in clinical areas with higher demand may find more lucrative opportunities in this growing job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,053 | $36.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,053 | $36.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,226 | $43.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,049 | $50.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,943 | $54.78 |
Median Salary Position
9.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,890 (2026 est.). At $91,226, the local median is 9.99% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Iowa City Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $91,226/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $86,965 | +4.90% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | -9.99% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $91,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.99% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 4.90% above the Iowa state average of $86,965.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City has a cost of living 8.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.509 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $91,226 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,691 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,420
2025 BLS Actual
$86,940
2026 Current Est.
$91,226
2019–2027 Growth
+44.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,226 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,724 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.9% from $66,420 (2019) to $86,940 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,724 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,304 (44.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $76,053 – $76,053 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,053 – $91,226 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,226 – $104,049 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,049 – $113,943 |
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 Iowa City
Iowa City's job market for diagnostic medical sonographers shows strong potential, with 90 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index of 91.509 suggests housing and everyday expenses are slightly below the national average, which benefits the purchasing power of local sonographers. Key employers in the region include hospital imaging departments, outpatient imaging chains like RadNet and SimonMed, as well as various specialty practices. Those specializing in cardiac sonography typically command the highest wages, while vascular and OB-GYN roles follow closely behind. Variations in pay can be influenced by factors such as specialty, shift differentials, and experience levels. For those seeking to maximize their diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Iowa City, pursuing advanced ARDMS certifications, building expertise in high-demand specialties, and considering travel or agency roles can be excellent strategies for achieving higher compensation within this evolving market.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Iowa City, IA in 2026?
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Iowa City?
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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 $86,940 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Iowa City 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