Sonographer Pay

Hattiesburg vs Olive Branch: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Hattiesburg, MS and Olive Branch, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hattiesburg, MS
$80,670
$38.78/hr
Olive Branch, MS
$82,180
$39.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHattiesburg, MSOlive Branch, MS
Median Salary$80,670$82,180
Hourly Rate$38.78$39.51
Entry Level (P10)$65,990$59,850
25th Percentile$69,348$69,125
75th Percentile$82,171$90,640
Top Earner (P90)$84,479$104,976
Total Employed607
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hattiesburg ($80,670) and Olive Branch ($82,180) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.HattiesburgOlive BranchMedian Salary$80,670$82,180Entry Level (P10)$65,990$59,850Top Earner (P90)$84,479$104,976US Median $101,352

Verdict

Olive Branch, MS offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hattiesburg.

The salary gap between Hattiesburg and Olive Branch is $1,510 (1.87%). Olive Branch's median is -18.92% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hattiesburg spans $18,489,Olive Branch spans $45,126. Olive Branch has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Hattiesburg
P10 (Entry)$65,990
P25$69,348
Median$80,670
P75$82,171
P90 (Top)$84,479
Olive Branch
P10 (Entry)$59,850
P25$69,125
Median$82,180
P75$90,640
P90 (Top)$104,976

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Olive Branch ($95,893 effective) pays 4.17% more than Hattiesburg ($92,054 effective).

Hattiesburg
Nominal: $80,670
CoL Index: 87.633
Adjusted: $92,054
Olive Branch
Nominal: $82,180
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $95,893

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hattiesburg if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Olive Branch if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,180/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,976)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,893)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Hattiesburg grew 27.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 55.8% growth in Olive Branch over the same period.

Hattiesburg, MS

+27.8%

$60,150 (2021) → $76,880 (2025)

Olive Branch, MS

+55.8%

$50,272 (2024) → $78,319 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Hattiesburg or Olive Branch?

Olive Branch has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $82,180/year, compared to Hattiesburg at $80,670/year — a difference of $1,510 (1.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hattiesburg and Olive Branch?

Hattiesburg diagnostic medical sonographers earn $38.78/hr while Olive Branch hygienists earn $39.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hattiesburg to Olive Branch as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hattiesburg and Olive Branch. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hattiesburg = $92,054, Olive Branch = $95,893), job availability (60 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Hattiesburg vs Olive Branch?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $65,990 in Hattiesburg and $59,850 in Olive Branch. The Hattiesburg area offers higher starting salaries.
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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