Illinois · BLS SOC 29-2032

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in Illinois

Q: How does Illinois diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's median of $87,000 is $2,530 above the U.S. national median of $84,470. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 99.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $87,525.

Median $87,000 · Top 10% earn $109,340+ · Roughly 3,284 workers in Illinois. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Illinois median: $87,000; $41.83/hr
Top 10%: $109,340; 90th percentile
Bottom 10%: $64,090; Entry-level range
Real pay: $87,525; CoL-adjusted (RPP 99.4)

Illinois pays close to the U.S. median for diagnostic medical sonographers — $87,000 versus the national median of $84,470. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 3,284 diagnostic medical sonographers.

What drives diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Illinois

Illinois sonographer pay tracks above national median in Chicago metro, driven by Northwestern, Rush, and University of Chicago Medicine.

Illinois ranks #18 of 50 states

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

Rank	State	Median	vs. Illinois
#16	Nevada	$87,850	+$850
#15	New Hampshire	$88,690	+$1,690
#14	Rhode Island	$88,690	+$1,690
#18	Illinois (this page)	$87,000	—
#19	Delaware	$85,310	−$1,690
#20	Arizona	$83,630	−$3,370
#21	Maine	$83,630	−$3,370

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Education path for Illinois

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 Illinois median of $87,000, payback periods are typically 0.8 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 Illinois selected.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in Illinois — FAQ

What is the average diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Illinois?

The median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Illinois is $87,000 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $64,090; the top 10% earn $109,340 or more. About 3,284 people work in this role across the state.

How does Illinois diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's median of $87,000 is $2,530 above the U.S. national median of $84,470. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 99.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $87,525.

Is diagnostic medical sonographer a good career in Illinois?

On the data: Illinois employs roughly 3,284 diagnostic medical sonographers, with a median wage of $87,000 and the top decile clearing $109,340. 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 Illinois?

At the Illinois median of $87,000 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $41.83/hr. The top 10% earn around $52.57/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $30.81/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Illinois-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 Illinois's RPP is 99.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.