Sonographer Pay

Andover vs St. Cloud: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Andover, MN and St. Cloud, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Andover, MN
$96,205
$46.25/hr
St. Cloud, MN
$92,496
$44.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAndover, MNSt. Cloud, MN
Median Salary$96,205$92,496
Hourly Rate$46.25$44.47
Entry Level (P10)$72,934$83,923
25th Percentile$83,041$85,570
75th Percentile$106,091$115,087
Top Earner (P90)$126,265$115,087
Total Employed870
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Andover ($96,205) and St. Cloud ($92,496) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.AndoverSt. CloudMedian Salary$96,205$92,496Entry Level (P10)$72,934$83,923Top Earner (P90)$126,265$115,087US Median $101,352

Verdict

Andover, MN offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Cloud.

The salary gap between Andover and St. Cloud is $3,709 (4.01%). Andover's median is -5.08% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Andover spans $53,331,St. Cloud spans $31,164. Andover has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Andover
P10 (Entry)$72,934
P25$83,041
Median$96,205
P75$106,091
P90 (Top)$126,265
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$83,923
P25$85,570
Median$92,496
P75$115,087
P90 (Top)$115,087

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Cloud ($105,550 effective) pays 8.07% more than Andover ($97,670 effective).

Andover
Nominal: $96,205
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $97,670
St. Cloud
Nominal: $92,496
CoL Index: 87.632
Adjusted: $105,550

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Andover if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,205/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($126,265)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,550)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Andover grew 9.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.8% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Andover, MN

+9.8%

$83,531 (2024) → $91,685 (2025)

St. Cloud, MN

+13.8%

$77,450 (2019) → $88,150 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Andover or St. Cloud?

Andover has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $96,205/year, compared to St. Cloud at $92,496/year — a difference of $3,709 (4.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Andover and St. Cloud?

Andover diagnostic medical sonographers earn $46.25/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $44.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Andover to St. Cloud as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Andover and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Andover = $97,670, St. Cloud = $105,550), job availability (8 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Andover vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $72,934 in Andover and $83,923 in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Aisha Khan, RDMS, RVT

Career Analyst

Aisha has over 10 years of experience in abdominal sonography. She works at a regional hospital. Aisha also conducts training for new sonographers.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RDMS, RTData verified by Maria Gonzalez, ARDMS, RVT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.93% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Khan, RDMS, RVT, a licensed diagnostic medical sonographer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov