Sonographer Pay

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.

$105,955
Median Annual Salary
$50.94/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$80,185
Entry Level (P10)
$142,515
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

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

PercentileAnnualHourly
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

$80,185$142,515
City Median: $105,955
National: $101,352
P10–P90 Range

4.54% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for diagnostic medical sonographers in Salem. The median salary is $105,955, compared to the national median of $101,352.$72.2K$91.5K$110.9K$130.3K$149.6K$80.2K10th Pctl$91.5K25th Pctl$106.0KMedian$112.9K75th Pctl$142.5K90th PctlUS Median$101.4K

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.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,038
per week
$8,830
per month
$105,963
per year

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 ToMedian SalarySalem Pays
Massachusetts Average$109,912-3.60% less
National Average$101,352+4.54% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing diagnostic medical sonographer median salary in Salem ($105,955) with Massachusetts average ($109,912) and the US national median ($101,352).Salem$105,955Massachusetts Avg$109,912-3.60%US National$101,352+4.54%

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

$105,955
Nominal Salary
108.5
CoL Index
$97,654
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.

The nominal salary is $105,955. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $97,654, a loss of $8,301.$83.0K$92.7K$102.4K$112.1K$121.8K$105,955NominalSalary$97,654CoL Adjusted(CoL: 108.5) -7.83%US Median $101.4K

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 (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 Salem. Baseline $77,696 in 2025, projected to $111,179 by 2027.$71.0K$82.7K$94.4K$106.2K$117.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$77.7K$79.4K$81.3K$85.0K$88.3K$108.7K$101.0K$106.0K$111.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$77,696Actual
2020$79,368Actual
2021$81,271Actual
2022$85,045Actual
2023$88,307Actual
2024$108,724Actual
2025$100,977Actual
2026(current)$105,955Estimated
2027$111,179Projected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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)$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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Salem is $105,955/year ($50.94/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.93% annual growth). Salaries range from $80,185 at entry level (10th percentile) to $142,515 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Salem at 4.5% 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 Salem, MA a good place to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Salem diagnostic medical sonographer salaries are 4.5% above the national average and 3.6% 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 Salem?

Yes — the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Salem is already $105,955, meaning more than half of diagnostic medical sonographers here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $142,515/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 Salem?

After adjusting for Salem's cost-of-living index of 108.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $105,955 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $97,654 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Salem 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 Salem?

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Salem earn a median hourly rate of $50.94, which translates to approximately $105,955/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $38.55 for entry-level positions to $68.52 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 $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).

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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