VA · Norfolk · Updated October 15, 2026

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs in Norfolk, VA

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the Norfolk area earn a median of $38.83 per hour, about $80,760 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $36.91 and $46.50. That ranks 156th of 267 U.S. metro areas for diagnostic medical sonographer pay, and 196th of 248 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Norfolk. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Norfolk.

Open Diagnostic Medical Sonographer roles in Norfolk

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Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay in Norfolk, VA

The metro median is 10% below the Virginia statewide median of $43.00 per hour. Nationally the median is $42.95 per hour. BLS counts about 400 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk metro area, 0.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.95).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$31.21$64,92027% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$36.91$76,77014% below U.S. median
Median$38.83$80,76010% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$46.50$96,7208% above U.S. median
Top 10%$49.25$102,44015% above U.S. median

How Norfolk ranks

  • 156th of 267 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 196th of 248 after adjusting for local prices
  • 4th of 6 Virginia 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 Norfolk

  • Overall prices in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk run 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: in line with the U.S. average (index 99.8).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $38.83 median hour buys what $39.65 buys at the national price level, 8% 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.

Estimate your Norfolk paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,398
  • Per year: $69,894
  • Per month: $5,824

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Norfolk

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

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 (this is the standard rate that applies here). 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 Norfolk

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Norfolk, 1 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of diagnostic medical sonographers.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Norfolk, VA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Sentara Leigh Hospital
Norfolk, VA
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5No
Childrens Hospital Of The Kings Daughters Inc
Norfolk, VA
Children'sNonprofitNot ratedYes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Portsmouth, VA8 mi$38.83/hr96,482
Hampton, VA9 mi$38.83/hr137,596
Richmond, VA80 mi$39.65/hr233,655
Rocky Mount, NC109 mi$37.51/hr54,541
Greenville, NC111 mi$38.95/hr95,138
Alexandria, VA139 mi$49.55/hr159,102

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs in Virginia · Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Virginia

ARDMS or equivalent credential (RDMS, RDCS, RVT). Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Virginia requires for your role with the Virginia licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Virginia taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Virginia state guide

Other healthcare roles in Norfolk

Norfolk city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Norfolk, VA?

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk metro area have a median pay of $38.83 per hour, about $80,760 a year. The middle half earn between $36.91 and $46.50 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Norfolk a good place for diagnostic medical sonographers once cost of living is counted?

Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk ranks 196th of 248 metro areas for diagnostic medical sonographer pay after adjusting for local prices, and 156th of 267 before adjusting. Overall prices run 2% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring diagnostic medical sonographers in Norfolk?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Norfolk. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Norfolk.

Do I need a Virginia license to work in Norfolk as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

ARDMS or equivalent credential (RDMS, RDCS, RVT). Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Virginia requires for your role with the Virginia 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 Norfolk?

The federal per diem benchmark in Norfolk is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 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 Norfolk?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Norfolk and across Virginia. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Norfolk.

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · Sonographer near Norfolk, VA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Sonographer pay reportNorfolk, VA · pay published by hospitals, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Sentara HealthcareChesapeake, VA · 5 postings$50.72/ hr$41–$63
  • Mary Washington HealthcareVirginia · 12 postings$49.30/ hr$39–$62
  • Valley HealthWinchester, VA · 4 postings$44.12/ hr$34–$56
  • Carilion ClinicRoanoke, VA · 6 postings$41.90/ hr$34–$50

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.

2What they are offering now

Low$34Median$49.30High$60

33 Sonographer postings with published pay in Virginia, 22 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 33 Sonographer roles

  1. Registered Sonographer (Echo)- daysPermanent
    $33.52–$50.28/ hour
    Carilion Clinic · Roanoke, VA · posted today
  2. Registered Sonographer- Vascular - daysPermanent
    $33.52–$50.28/ hour
    Carilion Clinic · Roanoke, VA · posted today

+ 31 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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