Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Lexington, KY: $88,068 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Lexington, KY earns a median $88,068/year (≈ $42.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $94,810 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lexington, Kentucky, the anticipated median annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in 2026 is projected to be $88,068, reflecting a competitive positioning when compared to the national median of $101,352. The salary range in this region is considerable, spanning from $48,971 at the 10th percentile to $110,586 at the 90th percentile, which indicates the diverse specializations and experiences within the field. Particularly, cardiac sonography tends to command a premium, often resulting in higher earnings compared to general sonography. This valuation, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, demonstrates the growing demand for skilled imaging professionals in Lexington’s healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,971 | $23.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,338 | $38.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,068 | $42.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,347 | $51.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,586 | $53.17 |
Median Salary Position
13.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, KY, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,615 (2026 est.). At $88,068, the local median is 13.11% below the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be above the median
How Lexington Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Lexington median: $88,068/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $90,512 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -13.11% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Lexington, KY earn a median of $88,068 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.11% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 2.70% below the Kentucky state average of $90,512.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 7.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 92.889 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $88,068 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,810 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,740
2025 BLS Actual
$83,930
2026 Current Est.
$88,068
2019–2027 Growth
+38.5%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,068 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,409 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 25.8% from $66,740 (2019) to $83,930 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,409 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,669 (38.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $48,971 – $79,338 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,338 – $88,068 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,068 – $106,347 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,347 – $110,586 |
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 Lexington
With approximately 120 diagnostic medical sonographers currently employed in Lexington, the job market remains robust, particularly in specialized settings like hospitals and outpatient imaging centers such as RadNet and SimonMed. The cost of living in Lexington is notably lower than the national average, with a cost of living index of 92.889, allowing residents to stretch their take-home income further. Employers that tend to offer the highest salaries frequently include cardiology and vascular surgery practices, where specialized skills are highly valued. Factors that drive compensation differences include specialization, shift differentials, and the potential for travel sonography premiums. To maximize earnings, professionals in Lexington are encouraged to pursue advanced certifications, such as RDCS or RVT, stay abreast of emerging trends in imaging, and consider niches in cardiac or vascular specialties.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $83,930 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Lexington 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