Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Vancouver, WA: $135,619 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Vancouver, WA earns a median $135,619/year (≈ $65.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Vancouver's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $126,275 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.9% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In the competitive field of diagnostic medical sonography, the salary landscape in Vancouver, Washington, reflects significant earning potential. With a projected median annual salary of $135,619 in 2026, diagnostic medical sonographers in this city earn substantially more than the national average, which stands at $101,352 for the same year. Pay scales range from $89,894 at the 10th percentile to $190,755 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a diverse array of compensation opportunities available to professionals in this field. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price disparities, indicate that specialized roles, particularly for cardiac and vascular sonographers, command a premium in this vibrant job market.
About the Vancouver Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,894 | $43.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,306 | $54.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,619 | $65.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,491 | $74.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,755 | $91.71 |
Median Salary Position
33.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vancouver
In Vancouver, WA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,861 (2026 est.). At $135,619, the local median is 33.81% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vancouver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vancouver Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Vancouver median: $135,619/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vancouver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $113,110 | +19.90% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +33.81% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Vancouver, WA earn a median of $135,619 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.81% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 19.90% above the Washington state average of $113,110.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vancouver has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vancouver, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,619 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $126,275 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,448
2025 BLS Actual
$129,247
2026 Current Est.
$135,619
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Vancouver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,448 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,588 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,024 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,854 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,029 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,273 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,247 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,619 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,305 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vancouver metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $99,448 (2019) to $129,247 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,305 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,857 (43.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vancouver 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) | $89,894 – $113,306 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,306 – $135,619 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,619 – $155,491 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,491 – $190,755 |
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 Vancouver
Despite a modest number of employed professionals—37 diagnostic medical sonographers in the area—the local compensation is favorably adjusted against a cost of living index of 107.4. This means that while salaries may appear high, the purchasing power reflects the costs associated with living in Vancouver, WA. Employers such as local hospitals' imaging departments, outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and various specialized practices offer competitive rates. The disparity in pay across the sector depends on numerous factors, including specialty focus, availability of shift differentials, and the presence of travel sonography premiums. Cardiac specialists generally enjoy the highest salaries, followed by vascular and then OB-GYN sonographers. To optimize earnings in Vancouver, professionals should strive to enhance credentials through ARDMS certifications and keep abreast of opportunities in high-demand areas, such as mobile imaging and supervisory roles, as these can yield higher compensation.
More salary data for Vancouver, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Vancouver?
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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 $129,247 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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