Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Bethesda, MD: $106,998 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Bethesda, MD earns a median $106,998/year (≈ $51.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Bethesda's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $97,894 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $106,998 in 2026, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Bethesda significantly outpaces the national median, highlighting a 5.57% premium. The salary range for professionals in this field extends from $75,190 at the 10th percentile to as high as $144,860 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional pricing, demonstrating Bethesda's competitive compensation climate for registered sonographers. This is particularly noteworthy for specialists in cardiac and vascular sonography, where skill sets are in high demand, resulting in enhanced earning potential across various imaging settings in the area.
About the Bethesda Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,670 | $42.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,998 | $51.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,854 | $57.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144,860 | $69.64 |
Median Salary Position
5.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethesda
In Bethesda, MD, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,670 (2026 est.). At $106,998, the local median is 5.57% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethesda: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethesda Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Bethesda median: $106,998/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethesda Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $110,764 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +5.57% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Bethesda, MD earn a median of $106,998 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.57% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $110,764.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethesda has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethesda, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,998 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,894 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,460
2025 BLS Actual
$101,971
2026 Current Est.
$106,998
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Bethesda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,149 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,071 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,882 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,176 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,125 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,971 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,998 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,273 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethesda metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $78,460 (2019) to $101,971 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,273 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,813 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethesda 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) | $75,190 – $88,670 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,670 – $106,998 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,998 – $119,854 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,854 – $144,860 |
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 Bethesda
In Bethesda, there are currently 18 diagnostic medical sonographers employed, making this a relatively niche market. The local cost of living index stands at 109.3, indicating that while salaries are higher, purchasing power can be affected by elevated living costs. Top pay rates can typically be found in hospital imaging departments and specialized practices such as cardiology and vascular surgery, where expertise is essential. The variation in salary can also be driven by specialty certifications, shift differentials, and the travel sonography premium that spans the field. Maximizing earnings in Bethesda may involve seeking opportunities in high-demand specialties, considering travel roles for added financial incentives, and pursuing advanced certifications through ARDMS, ensuring a competitive edge in a thriving job market.
More salary data for Bethesda, MD:
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 $101,971 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Bethesda 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 Bethesda 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