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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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
3.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chelmsford
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.
Salary Calculator
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 To | Median Salary | Chelmsford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $109,916 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +3.14% more |
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
Chelmsford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,651 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,301 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,178 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,901 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,119 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,261 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,619 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,530 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,684 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chelmsford 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) | $76,472 – $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.
More salary data for Chelmsford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Chelmsford?
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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 $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).
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