Sonographer Pay

Huntsville vs Madison: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Huntsville, AL and Madison, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntsville, AL
$71,457
$34.35/hr
Madison, AL
$69,660
$33.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntsville, ALMadison, AL
Median Salary$71,457$69,660
Hourly Rate$34.35$33.49
Entry Level (P10)$54,889$50,263
25th Percentile$61,374$58,497
75th Percentile$83,818$77,275
Top Earner (P90)$96,703$93,050
Total Employed1509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntsville ($71,457) and Madison ($69,660) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.HuntsvilleMadisonMedian Salary$71,457$69,660Entry Level (P10)$54,889$50,263Top Earner (P90)$96,703$93,050US Median $101,352

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Madison.

The salary gap between Huntsville and Madison is $1,797 (2.58%). Huntsville's median is -29.50% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntsville spans $41,814,Madison spans $42,787. Madison has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$54,889
P25$61,374
Median$71,457
P75$83,818
P90 (Top)$96,703
Madison
P10 (Entry)$50,263
P25$58,497
Median$69,660
P75$77,275
P90 (Top)$93,050

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($79,249 effective) pays 3.22% more than Huntsville ($76,776 effective).

Huntsville
Nominal: $71,457
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $76,776
Madison
Nominal: $69,660
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $79,249

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,457/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,703)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,249)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Huntsville grew 10.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.9% growth in Madison over the same period.

Huntsville, AL

+10.9%

$61,390 (2019) → $68,100 (2025)

Madison, AL

+13.9%

$58,277 (2024) → $66,387 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Huntsville or Madison?

Huntsville has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $71,457/year, compared to Madison at $69,660/year — a difference of $1,797 (2.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntsville and Madison?

Huntsville diagnostic medical sonographers earn $34.35/hr while Madison hygienists earn $33.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntsville to Madison as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntsville and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntsville = $76,776, Madison = $79,249), job availability (150 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Huntsville vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $54,889 in Huntsville and $50,263 in Madison. The Huntsville area offers higher starting salaries.
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