Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Harrisonburg, VA: $90,648 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Harrisonburg, VA earns a median $90,648/year (≈ $43.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Harrisonburg's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $87,837 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Harrisonburg, Virginia, the 2026 median annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to be $90,648, reflecting a localized compensation structure that falls approximately 10.56% below the national median of $101,352. The salary range for this role spans from $66,937 at the 10th percentile to $123,000 at the 90th percentile, providing insight into the variability in earnings. These figures, derived from state-level estimates and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the travel sonography premium, particularly for professionals specializing in cardiac and vascular imaging. The job market in Harrisonburg indicates decent opportunities with 11 diagnostic medical sonographers employed locally, suggesting a stable workforce for this vital healthcare profession.
About the Harrisonburg Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,937 | $32.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,270 | $37.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,648 | $43.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,706 | $48.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,000 | $59.14 |
Median Salary Position
10.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Harrisonburg
In Harrisonburg, VA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,063 (2026 est.). At $90,648, the local median is 10.56% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Harrisonburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Harrisonburg Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Harrisonburg median: $90,648/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Harrisonburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $92,028 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -10.56% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Harrisonburg, VA earn a median of $90,648 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.56% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.50% below the Virginia state average of $92,028.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Harrisonburg has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Harrisonburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,648 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $87,837 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,471
2025 BLS Actual
$86,389
2026 Current Est.
$90,648
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Harrisonburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,471 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,902 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,759 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,549 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,392 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,389 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,648 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,117 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Harrisonburg metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $66,471 (2019) to $86,389 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,117 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,646 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harrisonburg 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) | $66,937 – $77,270 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,270 – $90,648 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,648 – $101,706 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,706 – $123,000 |
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 Harrisonburg
Despite the promising salary projections, the cost of living in Harrisonburg, reflected by a 103.2 index, presents a consideration for overall take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital imaging departments typically offer competitive pay, although outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed may also be significant players in the market. Factors influencing the variation in pay include the specialty practice area, with cardiac sonographers often receiving the highest salaries, followed by vascular and OB-GYN specialties. Additionally, shift differentials for call coverage and the added income potentials from traveling positions can significantly enhance earnings. For those seeking to maximize their compensation in this market, pursuing advanced certifications through ARDMS and specializing in high-demand areas like cardiac echo can be essential strategies.
More salary data for Harrisonburg, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Harrisonburg, VA in 2026?
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Harrisonburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Harrisonburg?
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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 $86,389 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Harrisonburg 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 Harrisonburg 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