Sonographer Pay

Cincinnati vs Hamilton: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Hamilton, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$89,138
$42.85/hr
Hamilton, OH
$88,199
$42.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHHamilton, OH
Median Salary$89,138$88,199
Hourly Rate$42.85$42.40
Entry Level (P10)$75,644$60,116
25th Percentile$84,563$71,491
75th Percentile$106,357$95,325
Top Earner (P90)$111,992$122,104
Total Employed54011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($89,138) and Hamilton ($88,199) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.CincinnatiHamiltonMedian Salary$89,138$88,199Entry Level (P10)$75,644$60,116Top Earner (P90)$111,992$122,104US Median $101,352

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hamilton.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Hamilton is $939 (1.06%). Cincinnati's median is -12.05% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $36,348,Hamilton spans $61,988. Hamilton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$75,644
P25$84,563
Median$89,138
P75$106,357
P90 (Top)$111,992
Hamilton
P10 (Entry)$60,116
P25$71,491
Median$88,199
P75$95,325
P90 (Top)$122,104

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hamilton ($97,243 effective) pays 4.04% more than Cincinnati ($93,465 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $89,138
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $93,465
Hamilton
Nominal: $88,199
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $97,243

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($89,138/year)
  • Larger job market (540 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Hamilton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($122,104)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,243)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Cincinnati grew 27.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.9% growth in Hamilton over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+27.2%

$66,780 (2019) → $84,950 (2025)

Hamilton, OH

+21.9%

$68,961 (2024) → $84,055 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Cincinnati or Hamilton?

Cincinnati has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $89,138/year, compared to Hamilton at $88,199/year — a difference of $939 (1.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Hamilton?

Cincinnati diagnostic medical sonographers earn $42.85/hr while Hamilton hygienists earn $42.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Hamilton as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Hamilton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $93,465, Hamilton = $97,243), job availability (540 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Cincinnati vs Hamilton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $75,644 in Cincinnati and $60,116 in Hamilton. The Cincinnati 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