North Carolina Median
$86,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.35
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $96,590
State Rank
#34 of 51
2,970 employed here
How much does a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer make in North Carolina?
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in North Carolina take home a median of $86,010 annually — roughly $41.35 an hour — which runs 11% below the national median of $96,590.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $67,070 while the top 10% make $105,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,620 and $100,130 a year.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,070 | $32.25 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $77,620 | $37.32 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,010 | $41.35 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $100,130 | $48.14 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,530 | $50.74 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories for Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in other states
California $128,530Hawaii $124,430Washington $121,340Oregon $120,220District of Columbia $112,020Colorado $108,410Massachusetts $107,480Alaska $105,670Vermont $104,100New York $103,920New Hampshire $103,760Connecticut $103,230New Jersey $103,150Minnesota $102,850Wisconsin $102,090Montana $101,000Illinois $100,660Wyoming $100,650Missouri $100,130Utah $100,100Arizona $100,040Idaho $99,920Maryland $99,210Delaware $98,530Kansas $96,310Nevada $95,980Virginia $95,660Maine $95,230Rhode Island $92,820Texas $92,580Kentucky $91,230New Mexico $87,210Iowa $86,480Indiana $85,040North Dakota $84,340Oklahoma $83,670South Carolina $83,290Georgia $83,250Florida $82,940Ohio $82,870Pennsylvania $82,710Nebraska $82,670Michigan $82,490Arkansas $81,500South Dakota $80,820Louisiana $80,710Tennessee $80,640West Virginia $76,820Mississippi $76,520Alabama $68,180
Working as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in North Carolina
Nationally, about 90,000 people work as Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($86,010) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer make in North Carolina?
The median Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in North Carolina is $86,010 per year, or about $41.35 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $67,070 at the entry level to $105,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Diagnostic Medical Sonographers about 11% less than the national median of $96,590. North Carolina ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $86,010 a year. About 2,970 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.