Sonographer Pay

Jonesboro vs Little Rock: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Jonesboro, AR and Little Rock, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jonesboro, AR
$85,917
$41.30/hr
Little Rock, AR
$86,252
$41.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJonesboro, ARLittle Rock, AR
Median Salary$85,917$86,252
Hourly Rate$41.30$41.47
Entry Level (P10)$73,199$70,198
25th Percentile$85,518$79,170
75th Percentile$103,629$91,887
Top Earner (P90)$105,948$105,035
Total Employed50190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jonesboro ($85,917) and Little Rock ($86,252) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.JonesboroLittle RockMedian Salary$85,917$86,252Entry Level (P10)$73,199$70,198Top Earner (P90)$105,948$105,035US Median $101,352

Verdict

Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Jonesboro.

The salary gap between Jonesboro and Little Rock is $335 (0.39%). Little Rock's median is -14.90% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jonesboro spans $32,749,Little Rock spans $34,837. Little Rock has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Jonesboro
P10 (Entry)$73,199
P25$85,518
Median$85,917
P75$103,629
P90 (Top)$105,948
Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$70,198
P25$79,170
Median$86,252
P75$91,887
P90 (Top)$105,035

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jonesboro ($100,048 effective) pays 3.66% more than Little Rock ($96,518 effective).

Jonesboro
Nominal: $85,917
CoL Index: 85.876
Adjusted: $100,048
Little Rock
Nominal: $86,252
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $96,518

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jonesboro if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($105,948)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,048)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,252/year)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Jonesboro grew 17.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 29.3% growth in Little Rock over the same period.

Jonesboro, AR

+17.7%

$69,590 (2019) → $81,880 (2025)

Little Rock, AR

+29.3%

$63,590 (2019) → $82,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Jonesboro or Little Rock?

Little Rock has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $86,252/year, compared to Jonesboro at $85,917/year — a difference of $335 (0.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jonesboro and Little Rock?

Jonesboro diagnostic medical sonographers earn $41.30/hr while Little Rock hygienists earn $41.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jonesboro to Little Rock as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jonesboro and Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jonesboro = $100,048, Little Rock = $96,518), job availability (50 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Jonesboro vs Little Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $73,199 in Jonesboro and $70,198 in Little Rock. The Jonesboro 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