Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Laurel, MS: $80,331 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Laurel, MS earns a median $80,331/year (≈ $38.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $93,735 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers in Laurel, MS, reflects both the region's healthcare dynamics and its cost of living. In 2026, sonographers are expected to earn a median annual salary of $80,331, falling within a range that spans from $61,530 at the lowest decile to $100,528 at the 90th percentile. Local salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, indicate that while these figures are competitive, they still fall about 20.74% below the national median of $101,352. Factors such as whether a sonographer works in a hospital versus an outpatient imaging center can heavily influence potential earnings in this tight-knit job market.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,530 | $29.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,483 | $33.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,331 | $38.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,428 | $41.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,528 | $48.33 |
Median Salary Position
20.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MS, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,998 (2026 est.). At $80,331, the local median is 20.74% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Laurel median: $80,331/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $86,845 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -20.74% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Laurel, MS earn a median of $80,331 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $86,845.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $80,331 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,735 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,906
2025 BLS Actual
$76,557
2026 Current Est.
$80,331
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,906 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,174 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,617 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,478 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,951 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,141 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,557 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,331 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,292 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $58,906 (2019) to $76,557 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,292 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,386 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $61,530 – $69,483 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,483 – $80,331 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,331 – $86,428 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,428 – $100,528 |
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 Laurel
Currently, Laurel employs just six diagnostic medical sonographers, indicating a niche market and potentially limited job turnover. With a cost of living index at 85.7, sonographers may find that their take-home pay allows for a comfortable lifestyle relative to local expenses. However, compensation varies significantly based on the type of employer. Facilities specializing in cardiac imaging typically offer the best pay, followed closely by vascular and OB-GYN practices. The disparities in salary can also hinge on several factors, such as specialties, shift differentials for weekends or holidays, and opportunities for additional qualifications or supervisory roles. For those entering this field—or considering a career move—targeting high-demand specialties and seeking engagement with mobile imaging or travel opportunities might be effective strategies for enhancing earning potential in Laurel MS.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Laurel?
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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 $76,557 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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