Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Starkville, MS: $84,466 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Starkville, MS earns a median $84,466/year (≈ $40.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Starkville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $98,560 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Starkville, Mississippi, is projected to be $84,466 annually, significantly lower than the national median of $101,352. The local salary range varies from $58,237 at the 10th percentile to $106,925 at the 90th percentile, which reflects the diverse hiring conditions influenced by the type of employer. Starkville's job market, primarily consisting of healthcare facilities, has been shaped by the decision between hospital employment and outpatient imaging chains, which often offer different compensation structures. As a result, those looking for positions in specialized hospital imaging departments may find themselves receiving higher pay than those joining outpatient centers.
About the Starkville Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,237 | $28.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,838 | $35.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,466 | $40.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,941 | $43.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,925 | $51.41 |
Median Salary Position
16.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Starkville
In Starkville, MS, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,688 (2026 est.). At $84,466, the local median is 16.66% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Starkville: You'd be above the median
How Starkville Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Starkville median: $84,466/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Starkville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $86,899 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -16.66% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Starkville, MS earn a median of $84,466 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $86,899.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Starkville 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.
Starkville, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $84,466 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,560 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,937
2025 BLS Actual
$80,497
2026 Current Est.
$84,466
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,937 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,271 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,788 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,796 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,396 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,497 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,466 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,630 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Starkville metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $61,937 (2019) to $80,497 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,630 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,693 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Starkville 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) | $58,237 – $73,838 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,838 – $84,466 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,466 – $90,941 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,941 – $106,925 |
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 Starkville
With only five diagnostic medical sonographers currently employed in the area, competition for jobs is relatively low, but the cost of living index in Starkville stands at 85.7, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance the purchasing power of a diagnostic medical sonographer’s income, allowing them to maintain a comfortable lifestyle with the local salaries. Among the highest paying employers in Starkville are hospital imaging departments, where professionals may find better compensation compared to outpatient centers like RadNet or SimonMed. The variation in pay also relates to specialty areas—cardiac focuses tend to command higher wages, while shifts and call coverages can add to overall compensation. Candidates aiming to maximize their earnings should consider seeking positions that offer premium pay for specialized skills or exploring opportunities in travel sonography, where the demand can lead to attractive financial incentives.
More salary data for Starkville, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Starkville?
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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 $80,497 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Starkville 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 Starkville 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