Sonographer Pay

Burnsville vs Duluth: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Burnsville, MN
$98,450
$47.33/hr
Duluth, MN
$99,526
$47.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurnsville, MNDuluth, MN
Median Salary$98,450$99,526
Hourly Rate$47.33$47.85
Entry Level (P10)$72,812$82,821
25th Percentile$84,006$88,225
75th Percentile$110,695$108,928
Top Earner (P90)$133,475$128,078
Total Employed990
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burnsville ($98,450) and Duluth ($99,526) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.BurnsvilleDuluthMedian Salary$98,450$99,526Entry Level (P10)$72,812$82,821Top Earner (P90)$133,475$128,078US Median $101,352

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Burnsville.

The salary gap between Burnsville and Duluth is $1,076 (1.09%). Duluth's median is -1.80% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burnsville spans $60,663,Duluth spans $45,257. Burnsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burnsville
P10 (Entry)$72,812
P25$84,006
Median$98,450
P75$110,695
P90 (Top)$133,475
Duluth
P10 (Entry)$82,821
P25$88,225
Median$99,526
P75$108,928
P90 (Top)$128,078

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($112,119 effective) pays 12.18% more than Burnsville ($99,949 effective).

Burnsville
Nominal: $98,450
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $99,949
Duluth
Nominal: $99,526
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $112,119

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burnsville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($133,475)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,526/year)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,119)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Burnsville grew 9.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.8% growth in Duluth over the same period.

Burnsville, MN

+9.8%

$85,480 (2024) → $93,824 (2025)

Duluth, MN

+20.8%

$78,540 (2019) → $94,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Burnsville or Duluth?

Duluth has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $99,526/year, compared to Burnsville at $98,450/year — a difference of $1,076 (1.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burnsville and Duluth?

Burnsville diagnostic medical sonographers earn $47.33/hr while Duluth hygienists earn $47.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burnsville to Duluth as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burnsville and Duluth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burnsville = $99,949, Duluth = $112,119), job availability (9 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Burnsville vs Duluth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $72,812 in Burnsville and $82,821 in Duluth. The Duluth 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