Sonographer Pay

Cincinnati vs Upper Arlington: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$89,138
$42.85/hr
Upper Arlington, OH
$83,551
$40.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHUpper Arlington, OH
Median Salary$89,138$83,551
Hourly Rate$42.85$40.17
Entry Level (P10)$75,644$60,980
25th Percentile$84,563$70,441
75th Percentile$106,357$92,372
Top Earner (P90)$111,992$106,778
Total Employed5409
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($89,138) and Upper Arlington ($83,551) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.CincinnatiUpper ArlingtonMedian Salary$89,138$83,551Entry Level (P10)$75,644$60,980Top Earner (P90)$111,992$106,778US Median $101,352

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Upper Arlington is $5,587 (6.69%). 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,Upper Arlington spans $45,798. Upper Arlington 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
Upper Arlington
P10 (Entry)$60,980
P25$70,441
Median$83,551
P75$92,372
P90 (Top)$106,778

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($93,465 effective) pays 1.46% more than Upper Arlington ($92,118 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $89,138
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $93,465
Upper Arlington
Nominal: $83,551
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $92,118

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($111,992)
  • Larger job market (540 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,465)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Upper Arlington if…

  • 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 Upper Arlington over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+27.2%

$66,780 (2019) → $84,950 (2025)

Upper Arlington, OH

+21.9%

$65,326 (2024) → $79,625 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Cincinnati or Upper Arlington?

Cincinnati has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $89,138/year, compared to Upper Arlington at $83,551/year — a difference of $5,587 (6.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Upper Arlington?

Cincinnati diagnostic medical sonographers earn $42.85/hr while Upper Arlington hygienists earn $40.17/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Upper Arlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $93,465, Upper Arlington = $92,118), job availability (540 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $75,644 in Cincinnati and $60,980 in Upper Arlington. 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