Sonographer Pay

Corvallis vs Portland: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Corvallis, OR and Portland, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Corvallis, OR
$119,410
$57.41/hr
Portland, OR
$134,751
$64.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCorvallis, ORPortland, OR
Median Salary$119,410$134,751
Hourly Rate$57.41$64.78
Entry Level (P10)$79,831$103,073
25th Percentile$95,896$111,320
75th Percentile$130,698$137,721
Top Earner (P90)$156,563$142,904
Total Employed12690
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Corvallis ($119,410) and Portland ($134,751) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.CorvallisPortlandMedian Salary$119,410$134,751Entry Level (P10)$79,831$103,073Top Earner (P90)$156,563$142,904US Median $101,352

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Corvallis.

The salary gap between Corvallis and Portland is $15,341 (12.85%). Portland's median is +32.95% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Corvallis spans $76,732,Portland spans $39,831. Corvallis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Corvallis
P10 (Entry)$79,831
P25$95,896
Median$119,410
P75$130,698
P90 (Top)$156,563
Portland
P10 (Entry)$103,073
P25$111,320
Median$134,751
P75$137,721
P90 (Top)$142,904

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($127,822 effective) pays 9.83% more than Corvallis ($116,384 effective).

Corvallis
Nominal: $119,410
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $116,384
Portland
Nominal: $134,751
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $127,822

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Corvallis if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($156,563)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($134,751/year)
  • Larger job market (690 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $127,822)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Corvallis grew 5.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.2% growth in Portland over the same period.

Corvallis, OR

+5.2%

$108,129 (2024) → $113,800 (2025)

Portland, OR

+36.2%

$94,270 (2019) → $128,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Corvallis or Portland?

Portland has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $134,751/year, compared to Corvallis at $119,410/year — a difference of $15,341 (12.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Corvallis and Portland?

Corvallis diagnostic medical sonographers earn $57.41/hr while Portland hygienists earn $64.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Corvallis to Portland as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Corvallis and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Corvallis = $116,384, Portland = $127,822), job availability (12 vs 690 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Corvallis vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $79,831 in Corvallis and $103,073 in Portland. The Portland 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