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Diagnostic Sonographer in Mississippi: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Mississippi employs 700 diagnostic sonographers, with a statewide median of $76,520 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.

What Diagnostic sonographers Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)

Mississippi median pay: $76,520 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $59,660
Experienced (75th percentile): $81,310
Top earners (90th percentile): $92,340
Employed in Mississippi: 700
U.S. median (for comparison): $84,470 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for diagnostic sonographers in major Mississippi markets:

Memphis: $82,930 (390 employed)
Jackson: $80,550 (170 employed)
Hattiesburg: $76,880 (60 employed)
Gulfport: $71,770 (60 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi

Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $76,520 median stretches to roughly $87,954 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)

Mississippi is projected to grow diagnostic sonographers employment +18.6%, faster than the +13.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 50 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Mississippi License and Certification Requirements

No state license; ARDMS (RDMS) credential — regulated by the No Mississippi state license — ARDMS certification is the standard.

Mississippi does not require a separate state license.
Complete a CAAHEP-accredited diagnostic medical sonography program.
Earn ARDMS certification (e.g., RDMS) — the employer standard.

Official requirements: No Mississippi state license — ARDMS certification is the standard →

Training in Mississippi

Well-paid and no state license to chase. Specializing (echocardiography, vascular) raises pay.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Mississippi include:

Alcorn State University — Bachelor's
Coahoma Community College — Certificate / Associate
Copiah-Lincoln Community College — Associate
East Central Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where Diagnostic sonographers Work in Mississippi

Real Mississippi hospitals that employ diagnostic sonographers include:

Brentwood Behavioral Healthcare of MS — Flowood
VA Medical Center Gulfport — Gulfport
University of Mississippi Med Center — Jackson
North Mississippi Medical Center — Tupelo
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center — Jackson
Fmol Health I St Dominic — Jackson

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want high healthcare wages without a nursing or physician path, and who are detail-oriented and calm with patients.

Think twice if: You dislike repetitive positioning, sustained arm fatigue from holding probes, or working in darkened rooms.

Why it's resilient: Ultrasound imaging requires real-time clinical judgment, patient interaction, and probe technique that cannot be automated or outsourced.

First Steps

Find a CAAHEP-accredited diagnostic medical sonography program and check clinical placement rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do diagnostic sonographers make in Mississippi?

The median wage for diagnostic sonographers in Mississippi is $76,520 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $59,660, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $92,340. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Diagnostic Sonographer in Mississippi?

No state license; ARDMS (RDMS) credential, overseen by the No Mississippi state license — ARDMS certification is the standard. Mississippi does not require a separate state license.

Is being a Diagnostic Sonographer a good career in Mississippi?

Ultrasound imaging requires real-time clinical judgment, patient interaction, and probe technique that cannot be automated or outsourced.

Which Mississippi metros pay diagnostic sonographers the most?

Among Mississippi metro areas, Memphis leads at $82,930, followed by Jackson ($80,550), Hattiesburg ($76,880). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Diagnostic Sonographer in Mississippi?

Real Mississippi options include Alcorn State University, Coahoma Community College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Most diagnostic sonographers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Diagnostic Sonographer a growing career in Mississippi?

Mississippi projects diagnostic sonographers employment to change +18.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 50 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2032. Licensing summary compiled from the No Mississippi state license — ARDMS certification is the standard (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Mississippi wages · Mississippi licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.