How Much Does a Sonographer Make in Tennessee in 2026?

A typical Sonographer in Tennessee earns about $38.77 per hour, which works out to $80,640 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down differently, that pay comes to roughly $6,720 a month or $1,551 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. These numbers describe typical pay across the state, before accounting for city or experience differences.

That figure sits 17% below the national figure of $96,590 a year for Sonographers, and Tennessee ranks 48th among the 51 states and territories measured. Lower pay in Tennessee tends to track a lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states. About 1,880 Sonographers work across the state, giving a sense of scale for the profession here.

Entry-level positions in Tennessee typically offer around $29.91 an hour, or about $62,220 a year, for Sonographers just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the typical figure of $80,640 a year within the first several years on the job. Newer sonographers often start in general imaging roles before moving into specialized areas that pay more.

Experienced Sonographers in Tennessee often earn upwards of $45.38 an hour, or about $94,390 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $48.96 an hour, or $101,830 a year. The gap between entry-level and top-tier pay comes to $39,610 a year. That spread tends to reflect differences in work setting, years of experience, and which city a sonographer works in.

Tennessee Sonographer pay climbed from $59,430 in 2015 to $80,640 in 2025, a gain of $21,210. That works out to a 36% rise over the decade, tracked through the latest government wage data. The increase has been fairly steady year over year, with the steepest single-year jump coming between 2021 and 2022.

Nationally, Sonographer pay rose 40% over the same ten years, a slightly faster pace than Tennessee's climb. Pay for Sonographers in Tennessee has moved upward consistently over the past decade, though there's no guarantee that trend continues at the same pace. Someone starting out today enters a field where typical pay has grown substantially since 2015.

Pay runs highest in Franklin, where the typical Sonographer earns $89,710 a year ($43.13 an hour), about 11% above the statewide figure. Murfreesboro, Davidson, and Nashville match that same figure. Memphis follows close behind at $82,930 a year, and Jackson comes in at $82,000 a year. These figures reflect pay across each city's full metro area, a pattern that holds for every city listed here.

Kingsport pays the least among Tennessee's tracked cities, with typical pay at $75,440 a year, tied with Bristol. The spread between the highest and lowest-paying cities comes to $14,270 a year. Franklin also has the largest Sonographer workforce among the state's cities, at 500 employed. Higher pay in cities like Franklin and Nashville often comes with a higher cost of living, which tends to offset some of the difference in take-home value.

Tennessee pays less than every neighboring state except Mississippi and Alabama. Missouri offers the highest pay among neighbors at $100,130 a year, 24% above Tennessee's figure, and Virginia follows at $95,660 a year, 19% higher. Mississippi pays less, at $76,520 a year, and Alabama comes in lowest at $68,180 a year, 15% below Tennessee. Sonographer licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state.

Sonographers in Tennessee typically earn $80,640 a year, up 36% over the past decade from $59,430 in 2015. Pay varies by city and experience, with Franklin leading and entry-level positions starting lower. For specific requirements, check Tennessee's licensing or registry board page, and for local figures, see the city-specific pages.