How Much Does a Sonographer Make in Virginia in 2026?

A typical Sonographer in Virginia earns about $45.99 per hour, or $95,660 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that works out to roughly $7,972 a month and $1,840 a week. This figure represents the midpoint of pay across the state. Actual pay still varies by setting, city, and experience.

Virginia's typical pay runs about 1% below the national figure of $96,590 a year, based on the same May 2025 data. Among all 51 states and Washington, D.C., Virginia ranks 27th for Sonographer pay. The state employs 2,160 Sonographers, a modest share compared with 90,160 nationwide. Pay that trails the national figure by a small margin usually reflects lower living costs in much of the state.

Entry-level Sonographers in Virginia typically start around $37.28 an hour, or about $77,540 a year, according to May 2025 wage data. That reflects pay for those newer to the field. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $95,660 within a few years, as Sonographers gain experience and take on more complex exams.

Experienced Sonographers in Virginia often earn upwards of $103,010 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $122,930 ($59.10 an hour). That leaves a spread of $45,390 between entry-level and top pay across the state. Setting, years of experience, and city all play into where an individual lands within that range, with hospital and specialty imaging roles often paying more than smaller clinics.

Virginia's typical Sonographer pay has climbed from $69,850 in 2015 to $95,660 in 2025, a gain of $25,810. That amounts to a 37% rise over the decade, according to the same wage data. The increase has been steady rather than sudden, building year over year rather than in a single jump.

Nationally, Sonographer pay rose about 40% over the same ten years, a slightly faster pace than Virginia's climb. Pay for Sonographers in Virginia has moved up steadily year after year, reaching its highest point on record in 2025. Someone entering the field now can look at that decade of gains, without any promise that the pace continues at the same rate.

Pay for Sonographers runs highest in Arlington, where typical pay reaches $105,290 a year, or $50.62 an hour, based on that metro area's full range of Sonographer jobs. That is about 10% above the statewide figure of $95,660. Richmond and Lynchburg follow closely, with typical pay near $95,660 and $95,130 a year.

Bristol posts the lowest typical pay among Virginia's tracked cities, at $75,440 a year ($36.27 an hour). That leaves a spread of $29,850 between Virginia's highest- and lowest-paying cities. Arlington also holds the largest Sonographer workforce in the state, with 1,550 employed there. Higher pay in cities like Arlington generally tracks with a higher cost of living, while lower-cost areas such as Bristol tend to pay less.

Virginia's typical Sonographer pay compares closely with its neighbors. The District of Columbia pays the most nearby, at $112,020 a year, about 17% above Virginia's figure, while Maryland runs about 4% higher at $99,210. West Virginia pays the least among neighbors, at $76,820, roughly 20% below Virginia. Sonographer licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which can simplify a move across these borders.

Sonographers in Virginia typically earn $95,660 a year ($45.99 an hour), a figure that has risen 37% over the past decade from $69,850 in 2015. Pay runs close to the national figure and varies by city, from $105,290 in Arlington to $75,440 in Bristol. Anyone weighing a move or a new license should check Virginia's state licensing or registry page for specific requirements, and review city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding where to work.