PayByState

North Carolina · BLS SOC 29-2032

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in North Carolina

Median $78,560 · Top 10% earn $94,490+ · Roughly 2,694 workers in North Carolina. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

North Carolina median
$78,560
$37.77/hr
Top 10%
$94,490
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$57,870
Entry-level range
Real pay
$84,746
CoL-adjusted (RPP 92.7)

North Carolina pays modestly below the U.S. median for diagnostic medical sonographers — $78,560 versus the national median of $84,470. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 2,694 diagnostic medical sonographers.

What drives diagnostic medical sonographer pay in North Carolina

North Carolina 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.

North Carolina ranks #34 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. North Carolina
#33 Ohio $79,400 +$840
#32 New Mexico $79,400 +$840
#31 Florida $79,400 +$840
#34 North Carolina (this page) $78,560 —
#36 Georgia $77,710 −$850
#37 South Carolina $76,870 −$1,690
#38 Indiana $76,870 −$1,690
See all 50 states →

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Education path for North Carolina

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 North Carolina median of $78,560, 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 North Carolina selected.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in North Carolina — FAQ

What is the average diagnostic medical sonographer salary in North Carolina?
The median diagnostic medical sonographer salary in North Carolina is $78,560 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $57,870; the top 10% earn $94,490 or more. About 2,694 people work in this role across the state.
How does North Carolina diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina's median of $78,560 is $5,910 below the U.S. national median of $84,470. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 92.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $84,746.
Is diagnostic medical sonographer a good career in North Carolina?
On the data: North Carolina employs roughly 2,694 diagnostic medical sonographers, with a median wage of $78,560 and the top decile clearing $94,490. 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 North Carolina?
At the North Carolina median of $78,560 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $37.77/hr. The top 10% earn around $45.43/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $27.82/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

North Carolina-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 North Carolina's RPP is 92.7 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.