Sonographer Pay

Murfreesboro vs Nashville: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Murfreesboro, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Murfreesboro, TN
$92,464
$44.46/hr
Nashville, TN
$94,133
$45.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMurfreesboro, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$92,464$94,133
Hourly Rate$44.46$45.26
Entry Level (P10)$65,037$68,477
25th Percentile$76,601$83,356
75th Percentile$105,349$105,129
Top Earner (P90)$125,498$113,954
Total Employed29500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Murfreesboro ($92,464) and Nashville ($94,133) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.MurfreesboroNashvilleMedian Salary$92,464$94,133Entry Level (P10)$65,037$68,477Top Earner (P90)$125,498$113,954US Median $101,352

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Murfreesboro.

The salary gap between Murfreesboro and Nashville is $1,669 (1.81%). Nashville's median is -7.12% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Murfreesboro spans $60,461,Nashville spans $45,477. Murfreesboro has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Murfreesboro
P10 (Entry)$65,037
P25$76,601
Median$92,464
P75$105,349
P90 (Top)$125,498
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$68,477
P25$83,356
Median$94,133
P75$105,129
P90 (Top)$113,954

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Murfreesboro ($100,723 effective) pays 3.08% more than Nashville ($97,711 effective).

Murfreesboro
Nominal: $92,464
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $100,723
Nashville
Nominal: $94,133
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $97,711

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Murfreesboro if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($125,498)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,723)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,133/year)
  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Murfreesboro grew 34.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.0% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Murfreesboro, TN

+34.4%

$65,574 (2024) → $88,120 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+28.0%

$70,080 (2019) → $89,710 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Murfreesboro or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $94,133/year, compared to Murfreesboro at $92,464/year — a difference of $1,669 (1.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Murfreesboro and Nashville?

Murfreesboro diagnostic medical sonographers earn $44.46/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $45.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Murfreesboro to Nashville as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Murfreesboro and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Murfreesboro = $100,723, Nashville = $97,711), job availability (29 vs 500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Murfreesboro vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $65,037 in Murfreesboro and $68,477 in Nashville. The Nashville 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