Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs in Memphis, TN
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the Memphis area earn a median of $38.69 per hour, about $80,470 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $32.08 and $39.81. That ranks 162nd of 267 U.S. metro areas for diagnostic medical sonographer pay, and 147th of 248 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 11 hospitals in Memphis. The free report below lists employers near Memphis and what they pay.
- $38.69median pay per hour, Memphis
- $32–$40typical range per hour
- 470employed in the metro area
- 92cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay in Memphis, TN
The metro median is 1% above the Tennessee statewide median of $38.21 per hour. Nationally the median is $42.95 per hour. BLS counts about 470 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the Memphis metro area, 0.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.36).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $24.64 | $51,250 | 43% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $32.08 | $66,730 | 25% below U.S. median |
| Median | $38.69 | $80,470 | 10% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $39.81 | $82,800 | 7% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $45.90 | $95,470 | 7% above U.S. median |
How Memphis ranks
- 162nd of 267 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 147th of 248 after adjusting for local prices
- 3rd of 8 Tennessee metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SOC 29-2032), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Memphis
- Overall prices in Memphis run 8% below the U.S. average (index 92.2, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 20% below the U.S. average (index 79.8).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $38.69 median hour buys what $41.97 buys at the national price level, 2% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Memphis Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay report
Named employers near Memphis, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Memphis paycheck
- Per year: $69,642
- Per month: $5,804
- Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Memphis metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Memphis
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $129 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $74 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,421 |
| 13-week assignment | $18,473 |
Travel diagnostic medical sonographer assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in Memphis
CMS lists 11 hospitals in Memphis, 0 of the 5 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of diagnostic medical sonographers.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis, TN | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Memphis Va Medical Center Memphis, TN | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Methodist Hospitals Of Memphis Memphis, TN | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Regional One Health Memphis, TN | Acute care | Government and federal | 1 of 5 | Yes |
| St Francis Hospital Memphis, TN | Acute care | For-profit | 1 of 5 | Yes |
| Delta Specialty Hospital Memphis, TN | Acute care | For-profit | Not rated | Yes |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Memphis, TN | Children's | Nonprofit | Not rated | No |
| Crestwyn Behavioral Health Memphis, TN | Psychiatric | For-profit | Not rated | Yes |
| Lakeside Behavioral Health System Memphis, TN | Psychiatric | Nonprofit | Not rated | No |
| Memphis Mental Health Institute Memphis, TN | Psychiatric | Government and federal | Not rated | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southaven, MS | 11 mi | $38.69/hr | 57,493 |
| Bartlett, TN | 12 mi | $38.69/hr | 56,708 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 63 mi | $37.98/hr | 82,384 |
| Jackson, TN | 74 mi | $39.88/hr | 69,303 |
| North Little Rock, AR | 130 mi | $38.73/hr | 64,498 |
| Little Rock, AR | 138 mi | $38.73/hr | 204,774 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs in Tennessee · Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Tennessee
ARDMS or equivalent credential (RDMS, RDCS, RVT). Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Tennessee requires for your role with the Tennessee licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Tennessee does not tax wage income at the state level, so take-home pay is higher than the same gross pay in a state that does.
Other healthcare roles in Memphis
Memphis city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Memphis, TN?
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the Memphis metro area have a median pay of $38.69 per hour, about $80,470 a year. The middle half earn between $32.08 and $39.81 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Memphis a good place for diagnostic medical sonographers once cost of living is counted?
Memphis ranks 147th of 248 metro areas for diagnostic medical sonographer pay after adjusting for local prices, and 162nd of 267 before adjusting. Overall prices run 8% below the U.S. average.
Where do diagnostic medical sonographers work in Memphis?
CMS lists 11 hospitals in Memphis, led by Baptist Memorial Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Tennessee license to work in Memphis as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
ARDMS or equivalent credential (RDMS, RDCS, RVT). Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Tennessee requires for your role with the Tennessee licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Memphis?
The federal per diem benchmark in Memphis is $129 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,421 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place diagnostic medical sonographers in Memphis?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Memphis and across Tennessee. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Memphis.
What do employers near Memphis pay diagnostic medical sonographers? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
70+ Diagnostic Medical Sonographer roles in Tennessee, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Sonographer pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Tennessee list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Seattle Children'sSeattle, WA · 5 postings$73.71/ hr$56–$91
- MarinHealthGreenbrae, CA · 3 postings$71.30/ hr$57–$99
- CommonSpirit HealthOXNARD, CA · 5 postings$69.06/ hr$58–$83
- MultiCareTacoma, WA · 23 postings$64.09/ hr$41–$91
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Tennessee list
2What they are offering now
285 Sonographer postings with published pay in the US, 219 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Sonographer roles
Open Sonographer roles near Memphis, TN, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.