Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Salem, MA: $105,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Salem, MA earns a median $105,955/year (≈ $50.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Salem's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $97,654 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Salem, Massachusetts, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect to earn a median annual salary of $105,955 in 2026, a figure that surpasses the national median of $101,352 by 4.54%. Salaries in this field range from $80,185 at the 10th percentile to $142,515 at the 90th percentile, reflecting differentiated compensation based on experience, specialization, and demand. The local estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors. Notably, cardiac and vascular sonographers often command a premium due to their specialized skills, making this market particularly favorable for professionals with advanced credentials like the RDCS or RVT. Given Salem’s proximity to various healthcare facilities, job opportunities abound, contributing to a competitive landscape for aspiring sonographers.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($104,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,185 | $38.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,457 | $43.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,955 | $50.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,926 | $54.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,515 | $68.52 |
Median Salary Position
4.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, MA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,330 (2026 est.). At $105,955, the local median is 4.54% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Salem median: $105,955/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $109,912 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | +4.54% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Salem, MA earn a median of $105,955 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.54% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 3.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $109,912.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,955 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,654 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,696
2025 BLS Actual
$100,977
2026 Current Est.
$105,955
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,696 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,368 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,271 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,045 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,307 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,724 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,977 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,179 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $77,696 (2019) to $100,977 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,179 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,483 (43.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $80,185 – $91,457 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,457 – $105,955 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,955 – $112,926 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,926 – $142,515 |
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 Salem
Analyzing the job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Salem reveals a small workforce composed of only eight professionals. The cost-of-living index stands at 108.5, which slightly elevates the local expenses compared to the national average. Consequently, take-home pay and purchasing power should be carefully considered. Among local employers, positions in hospital imaging departments or advanced outpatient clinics like RadNet generally offer higher pay rates compared to general practices or mobile imaging companies. The disparity in compensation can be attributed to several factors, including specialty focus—cardiac sonographers earn more than their abdominal peers—and additional income opportunities such as travel assignments or supervisory roles. For those looking to enhance their diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Salem, pursuing specialized training and certifications while strategically considering employment at high-paying facilities can significantly impact overall earnings.
More salary data for Salem, MA:
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 $100,977 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Salem 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 Salem 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