PermanentPosted 20 days ago
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Sentara Healthcare · Suffolk, VA
$40.80–$60.63/ hour
Top 25% pay
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs in Suffolk, VA
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the Suffolk 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 Suffolk. The free report below lists employers near Suffolk and what they pay.
- $38.83median pay per hour, Virginia Beach
- $37–$46typical range per hour
- 400employed in the metro area
- 1open roles with published pay
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Named employers near Suffolk, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportDiagnostic Medical Sonographer pay in Suffolk, 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).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $31.21 | $64,920 | 27% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $36.91 | $76,770 | 14% below U.S. median |
| Median | $38.83 | $80,760 | 10% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $46.50 | $96,720 | 8% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $49.25 | $102,440 | 15% above U.S. median |
How Suffolk 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 Suffolk
- 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 Suffolk 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 Suffolk
| Item | Federal 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 Suffolk
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Suffolk, 1 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of diagnostic medical sonographers.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentara Obici Hospital Suffolk, VA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Center Suffolk, VA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake, VA | 18 mi | $38.83/hr | 254,997 |
| Portsmouth, VA | 19 mi | $38.83/hr | 96,482 |
| Richmond, VA | 74 mi | $39.65/hr | 233,655 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 82 mi | $37.51/hr | 54,541 |
| Greenville, NC | 87 mi | $38.95/hr | 95,138 |
| Wake Forest, NC | 116 mi | $39.96/hr | 56,764 |
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.
Other healthcare roles in Suffolk
Suffolk city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Suffolk, 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 Suffolk 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 Suffolk?
We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Suffolk. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Suffolk.
Do I need a Virginia license to work in Suffolk 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 Suffolk?
The federal per diem benchmark in Suffolk 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 Suffolk?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Suffolk and across Virginia. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Suffolk.
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What do employers near Suffolk pay diagnostic medical sonographers? Get the report.
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- 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.
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Sonographer pay reportSuffolk, 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
- Registered Sonographer (Echo)- daysPermanent$33.52–$50.28/ hour
- Registered Sonographer- Vascular - daysPermanent$33.52–$50.28/ hour
+ 31 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.