PayByState

Arkansas · BLS SOC 29-2032

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in Arkansas

Median $71,800 · Top 10% earn $83,260+ · Roughly 842 workers in Arkansas. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Arkansas median
$71,800
$34.52/hr
Top 10%
$83,260
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$52,890
Entry-level range
Real pay
$83,102
CoL-adjusted (RPP 86.4)

Arkansas pays meaningfully below the U.S. median for diagnostic medical sonographers — $71,800 versus the national median of $84,470. Arkansas's lower cost of living partially offsets the lower nominal pay, but real purchasing power is still below national average. The state employs roughly 842 diagnostic medical sonographers.

What drives diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Arkansas

Arkansas sits in the bottom quartile of U.S. diagnostic medical sonographer pay. Lower nominal wages typically reflect rural-area service delivery, smaller hospital systems, and less-dense union or specialty employer presence — partially offset by a lower cost of living.

Arkansas ranks #50 of 50 states

Where Arkansas sits in the national distribution for diagnostic medical sonographer pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Arkansas
#49 West Virginia $72,640 +$840
#48 Alabama $72,640 +$840
#47 Louisiana $74,330 +$2,530
#50 Arkansas (this page) $71,800 —
#51 Mississippi $70,950 −$850
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Arkansas

The typical path is a associate degree in dms, or 1-yr certificate post-rt, taking about 24 months. Tuition ranges from $8,000 (community college) to $45,000 (private accelerated). On the Arkansas median of $71,800, payback periods are typically 1.1 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Arkansas selected.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in Arkansas — FAQ

What is the average diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Arkansas?
The median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Arkansas is $71,800 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $52,890; the top 10% earn $83,260 or more. About 842 people work in this role across the state.
How does Arkansas diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas's median of $71,800 is $12,670 below the U.S. national median of $84,470. After adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 86.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $83,102.
Is diagnostic medical sonographer a good career in Arkansas?
On the data: Arkansas employs roughly 842 diagnostic medical sonographers, with a median wage of $71,800 and the top decile clearing $83,260. The role is projected to grow +11% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Arkansas?
At the Arkansas median of $71,800 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $34.52/hr. The top 10% earn around $40.03/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $25.43/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Arkansas-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-2032: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Arkansas's RPP is 86.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.