Sonographer Pay

Moses Lake vs Seattle: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Moses Lake, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Moses Lake, WA
$109,079
$52.44/hr
Seattle, WA
$136,367
$65.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMoses Lake, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$109,079$136,367
Hourly Rate$52.44$65.56
Entry Level (P10)$82,765$63,934
25th Percentile$94,291$109,348
75th Percentile$120,504$145,286
Top Earner (P90)$143,111$170,018
Total Employed41,190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Moses Lake ($109,079) and Seattle ($136,367) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.Moses LakeSeattleMedian Salary$109,079$136,367Entry Level (P10)$82,765$63,934Top Earner (P90)$143,111$170,018US Median $101,352

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Moses Lake.

The salary gap between Moses Lake and Seattle is $27,288 (25.02%). Seattle's median is +34.55% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Moses Lake spans $60,346,Seattle spans $106,084. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Moses Lake
P10 (Entry)$82,765
P25$94,291
Median$109,079
P75$120,504
P90 (Top)$143,111
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$63,934
P25$109,348
Median$136,367
P75$145,286
P90 (Top)$170,018

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($122,706 effective) pays 20.82% more than Moses Lake ($101,563 effective).

Moses Lake
Nominal: $109,079
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $101,563
Seattle
Nominal: $136,367
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $122,706

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Moses Lake if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,367/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($170,018)
  • Larger job market (1,190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $122,706)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Moses Lake grew -10.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.2% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Moses Lake, WA

+-10.4%

$116,040 (2024) → $103,954 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+38.2%

$94,020 (2019) → $129,960 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Moses Lake or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $136,367/year, compared to Moses Lake at $109,079/year — a difference of $27,288 (25.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Moses Lake and Seattle?

Moses Lake diagnostic medical sonographers earn $52.44/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $65.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Moses Lake to Seattle as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Moses Lake and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Moses Lake = $101,563, Seattle = $122,706), job availability (4 vs 1,190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Moses Lake vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $82,765 in Moses Lake and $63,934 in Seattle. The Moses Lake 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