Sonographer Pay

Denver vs Littleton: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Denver, CO and Littleton, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denver, CO
$113,755
$54.69/hr
Littleton, CO
$106,832
$51.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COLittleton, CO
Median Salary$113,755$106,832
Hourly Rate$54.69$51.36
Entry Level (P10)$92,024$78,509
25th Percentile$105,234$90,381
75th Percentile$131,309$118,496
Top Earner (P90)$137,164$140,810
Total Employed7507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($113,755) and Littleton ($106,832) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.DenverLittletonMedian Salary$113,755$106,832Entry Level (P10)$92,024$78,509Top Earner (P90)$137,164$140,810US Median $101,352

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Littleton.

The salary gap between Denver and Littleton is $6,923 (6.48%). Denver's median is +12.24% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $45,140,Littleton spans $62,301. Littleton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$92,024
P25$105,234
Median$113,755
P75$131,309
P90 (Top)$137,164
Littleton
P10 (Entry)$78,509
P25$90,381
Median$106,832
P75$118,496
P90 (Top)$140,810

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($107,537 effective) pays 5.69% more than Littleton ($101,745 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $113,755
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $107,537
Littleton
Nominal: $106,832
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $101,745

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($113,755/year)
  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,537)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Littleton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($140,810)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Denver grew 23.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.9% growth in Littleton over the same period.

Denver, CO

+23.3%

$87,920 (2019) → $108,410 (2025)

Littleton, CO

+10.9%

$91,772 (2024) → $101,813 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Denver or Littleton?

Denver has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $113,755/year, compared to Littleton at $106,832/year — a difference of $6,923 (6.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Littleton?

Denver diagnostic medical sonographers earn $54.69/hr while Littleton hygienists earn $51.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Littleton as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Littleton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $107,537, Littleton = $101,745), job availability (750 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Denver vs Littleton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $92,024 in Denver and $78,509 in Littleton. The Denver area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AK

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