PayByState

Kentucky · BLS SOC 29-2032

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in Kentucky

Median $75,180 · Top 10% earn $88,800+ · Roughly 1,179 workers in Kentucky. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Kentucky median
$75,180
$36.14/hr
Top 10%
$88,800
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$55,380
Entry-level range
Real pay
$85,432
CoL-adjusted (RPP 88.0)

Kentucky pays modestly below the U.S. median for diagnostic medical sonographers — $75,180 versus the national median of $84,470. Kentucky's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $962 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 1,179 diagnostic medical sonographers.

What drives diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Kentucky

Kentucky pays close to the U.S. median for diagnostic medical sonographers. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Kentucky ranks #46 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Kentucky
#43 Tennessee $76,870 +$1,690
#42 Idaho $76,870 +$1,690
#41 Missouri $76,870 +$1,690
#46 Kentucky (this page) $75,180 —
#47 Louisiana $74,330 −$850
#48 Alabama $72,640 −$2,540
#49 West Virginia $72,640 −$2,540
See all 50 states →

Find Diagnostic Medical Sonographer programs near you

We surface accredited programs by state — community college, online, and accelerated. Compare tuition, length, and start dates.

Compare programs

Sponsored. We may earn a commission if you enroll. Prices and availability vary by school and state.

Education path for Kentucky

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 Kentucky median of $75,180, payback periods are typically 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 Kentucky selected.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in Kentucky — FAQ

What is the average diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Kentucky?
The median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in Kentucky is $75,180 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $55,380; the top 10% earn $88,800 or more. About 1,179 people work in this role across the state.
How does Kentucky diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky's median of $75,180 is $9,290 below the U.S. national median of $84,470. After adjusting for Kentucky's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 88.0), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $85,432.
Is diagnostic medical sonographer a good career in Kentucky?
On the data: Kentucky employs roughly 1,179 diagnostic medical sonographers, with a median wage of $75,180 and the top decile clearing $88,800. 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 Kentucky?
At the Kentucky median of $75,180 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $36.14/hr. The top 10% earn around $42.69/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $26.63/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Kentucky-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 Kentucky's RPP is 88.0 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.