Sonographer Pay

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Chelmsford, MA: $104,530 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Chelmsford, MA earns a median $104,530/year (≈ $50.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Chelmsford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $96,341 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Massachusetts state average.

$104,530
Median Annual Salary
$50.25/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$76,472
Entry Level (P10)
$138,149
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In 2026, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, is projected to reach a median of $104,530, which exceeds the national median of $101,352 by 3.14%. The overall salary range for this profession in Chelmsford stretches from $76,472 at the 10th percentile to $138,149 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization. Notably, sonographers specializing in cardiac echo often command higher salaries compared to those in general sonography roles, driven by increased demand for cardiac imaging services. These local estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, highlighting the competitive job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in this area.

About the Chelmsford Market

Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($104,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$76,472$36.77
Lower Range (P25)$88,505$42.55
Median (P50)(typical)$104,530$50.25
Upper Range (P75)$115,854$55.70
Top Earners (P90)$138,149$66.42

Median Salary Position

$76,472$138,149
City Median: $104,530
National: $101,352
P10–P90 Range

3.14% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chelmsford

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for diagnostic medical sonographers in Chelmsford. The median salary is $104,530, compared to the national median of $101,352.$68.8K$87.9K$106.9K$126.0K$145.1K$76.5K10th Pctl$88.5K25th Pctl$104.5KMedian$115.9K75th Pctl$138.1K90th PctlUS Median$101.4K

In Chelmsford, MA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,677 (2026 est.). At $104,530, the local median is 3.14% above the national median of $101,352.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,010
per week
$8,710
per month
$104,522
per year

At 40 hours/week in Chelmsford: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Chelmsford Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares

Chelmsford median: $104,530/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryChelmsford Pays
Massachusetts Average$109,916-4.90% less
National Average$101,352+3.14% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing diagnostic medical sonographer median salary in Chelmsford ($104,530) with Massachusetts average ($109,916) and the US national median ($101,352).Chelmsford$104,530Massachusetts Avg$109,916-4.90%US National$101,352+3.14%

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Chelmsford, MA earn a median of $104,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.14% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 4.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $109,916.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$104,530
Nominal Salary
108.5
CoL Index
$96,341
Adjusted Salary

Chelmsford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.

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

The nominal salary is $104,530. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $96,341, a loss of $8,189.$81.9K$91.5K$101.0K$110.6K$120.2K$104,530NominalSalary$96,341CoL Adjusted(CoL: 108.5) -7.83%US Median $101.4K

Chelmsford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,530 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,341 — a 7.83% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$76,651

2025 BLS Actual

$99,619

2026 Current Est.

$104,530

2019–2027 Growth

+43.1%

Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Chelmsford (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 Chelmsford. Baseline $76,651 in 2025, projected to $109,684 by 2027.$70.0K$81.6K$93.2K$104.7K$116.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$76.7K$78.3K$80.2K$83.9K$87.1K$107.3K$99.6K$104.5K$109.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$76,651Actual
2020$78,301Actual
2021$80,178Actual
2022$83,901Actual
2023$87,119Actual
2024$107,261Actual
2025$99,619Actual
2026(current)$104,530Estimated
2027$109,684Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chelmsford metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $76,651 (2019) to $99,619 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,684 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,033 (43.10%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chelmsford 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)$76,472$88,505
3-5 years (Mid Career)$88,505$104,530
5+ years (Experienced)$104,530$115,854
10+ years (Top Earner)$115,854$138,149

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 Chelmsford

Analyzing the job market in Chelmsford reveals a modest employment base, with only 8 diagnostic medical sonographers currently working in the area. Despite the limited number of positions, the high cost of living, indexed at 108.5, underscores the importance of salary in terms of purchasing power. Key employers, such as hospital imaging departments and established outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, are typically the highest paying. Pay disparities often arise from various factors, including the level of specialization, shift differentials, and opportunities for travel sonography assignments, which tend to offer premiums. For those in Chelmsford seeking to maximize their diagnostic medical sonographer pay, securing additional certifications, such as RDCS or RVT, and exploring roles in high-demand specialties could be advantageous strategies in this evolving market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Chelmsford, MA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Chelmsford is $104,530/year ($50.25/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.93% annual growth). Salaries range from $76,472 at entry level (10th percentile) to $138,149 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Chelmsford at 3.1% above 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 Chelmsford, MA a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Chelmsford diagnostic medical sonographer salaries are 3.1% above the national average and 4.9% below the Massachusetts state average. The metro area employs approximately 8 diagnostic medical sonographers. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, 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 Chelmsford?

Yes — the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Chelmsford is already $104,530, meaning more than half of diagnostic medical sonographers here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $138,149/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

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

After adjusting for Chelmsford's cost-of-living index of 108.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $104,530 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $96,341 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Chelmsford reduce the effective value of your salary by 7.8% 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 Chelmsford?

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Chelmsford earn a median hourly rate of $50.25, which translates to approximately $104,530/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $36.77 for entry-level positions to $66.42 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 $99,619 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Chelmsford 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 Chelmsford is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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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