Sonographer Pay

Corona vs Sacramento: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Corona, CA and Sacramento, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Corona, CA
$139,238
$66.95/hr
Sacramento, CA
$171,267
$82.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCorona, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$139,238$171,267
Hourly Rate$66.95$82.34
Entry Level (P10)$92,712$107,165
25th Percentile$111,499$135,674
75th Percentile$151,688$190,207
Top Earner (P90)$196,118$197,583
Total Employed24610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Corona ($139,238) and Sacramento ($171,267) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.CoronaSacramentoMedian Salary$139,238$171,267Entry Level (P10)$92,712$107,165Top Earner (P90)$196,118$197,583US Median $101,352

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Corona.

The salary gap between Corona and Sacramento is $32,029 (23.00%). Sacramento's median is +68.98% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Corona spans $103,406,Sacramento spans $90,418. Corona has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Corona
P10 (Entry)$92,712
P25$111,499
Median$139,238
P75$151,688
P90 (Top)$196,118
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$107,165
P25$135,674
Median$171,267
P75$190,207
P90 (Top)$197,583

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($160,558 effective) pays 30.42% more than Corona ($123,111 effective).

Corona
Nominal: $139,238
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $123,111
Sacramento
Nominal: $171,267
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $160,558

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Corona if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($171,267/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($197,583)
  • Larger job market (610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $160,558)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Corona grew -7.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.1% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Corona, CA

+-7.2%

$142,921 (2024) → $132,696 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+34.1%

$121,700 (2019) → $163,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Corona or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $171,267/year, compared to Corona at $139,238/year — a difference of $32,029 (23.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Corona and Sacramento?

Corona diagnostic medical sonographers earn $66.95/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $82.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Corona to Sacramento as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Corona and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Corona = $123,111, Sacramento = $160,558), job availability (24 vs 610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Corona vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $92,712 in Corona and $107,165 in Sacramento. The Sacramento 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