Sonographer Pay

Atlantic City vs Manchester: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Manchester, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$91,499
$43.99/hr
Manchester, NJ
$112,481
$54.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJManchester, NJ
Median Salary$91,499$112,481
Hourly Rate$43.99$54.08
Entry Level (P10)$76,809$84,737
25th Percentile$84,825$97,046
75th Percentile$106,924$119,773
Top Earner (P90)$110,932$151,537
Total Employed2109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($91,499) and Manchester ($112,481) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.Atlantic CityManchesterMedian Salary$91,499$112,481Entry Level (P10)$76,809$84,737Top Earner (P90)$110,932$151,537US Median $101,352

Verdict

Manchester, NJ offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Manchester is $20,982 (22.93%). Manchester's median is +10.98% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $34,123,Manchester spans $66,800. Manchester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$76,809
P25$84,825
Median$91,499
P75$106,924
P90 (Top)$110,932
Manchester
P10 (Entry)$84,737
P25$97,046
Median$112,481
P75$119,773
P90 (Top)$151,537

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Manchester ($97,640 effective) pays 5.49% more than Atlantic City ($92,557 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $91,499
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $92,557
Manchester
Nominal: $112,481
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $97,640

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Manchester if…

  • Higher median salary ($112,481/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($151,537)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,640)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Atlantic City grew 2.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.8% growth in Manchester over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+2.0%

$85,460 (2019) → $87,200 (2025)

Manchester, NJ

+2.8%

$104,321 (2024) → $107,196 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Atlantic City or Manchester?

Manchester has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $112,481/year, compared to Atlantic City at $91,499/year — a difference of $20,982 (22.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Manchester?

Atlantic City diagnostic medical sonographers earn $43.99/hr while Manchester hygienists earn $54.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Manchester as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Manchester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $92,557, Manchester = $97,640), job availability (210 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Atlantic City vs Manchester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $76,809 in Atlantic City and $84,737 in Manchester. The Manchester area offers higher starting salaries.
AK

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