Sonographer Pay

Roanoke vs Springfield: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Roanoke, VA and Springfield, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Roanoke, VA
$87,239
$41.94/hr
Springfield, VA
$88,553
$42.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoanoke, VASpringfield, VA
Median Salary$87,239$88,553
Hourly Rate$41.94$42.57
Entry Level (P10)$79,138$66,980
25th Percentile$85,340$76,323
75th Percentile$104,636$97,543
Top Earner (P90)$104,636$116,043
Total Employed1108
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roanoke ($87,239) and Springfield ($88,553) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.RoanokeSpringfieldMedian Salary$87,239$88,553Entry Level (P10)$79,138$66,980Top Earner (P90)$104,636$116,043US Median $101,352

Verdict

Springfield, VA offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Roanoke.

The salary gap between Roanoke and Springfield is $1,314 (1.51%). Springfield's median is -12.63% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roanoke spans $25,498,Springfield spans $49,063. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$79,138
P25$85,340
Median$87,239
P75$104,636
P90 (Top)$104,636
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$66,980
P25$76,323
Median$88,553
P75$97,543
P90 (Top)$116,043

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($93,186 effective) pays 8.60% more than Springfield ($85,807 effective).

Roanoke
Nominal: $87,239
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $93,186
Springfield
Nominal: $88,553
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $85,807

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,186)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,553/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($116,043)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Roanoke grew 17.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.6% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Roanoke, VA

+17.2%

$70,910 (2019) → $83,140 (2025)

Springfield, VA

+3.6%

$81,465 (2024) → $84,392 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Roanoke or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $88,553/year, compared to Roanoke at $87,239/year — a difference of $1,314 (1.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roanoke and Springfield?

Roanoke diagnostic medical sonographers earn $41.94/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $42.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Roanoke to Springfield as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roanoke and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roanoke = $93,186, Springfield = $85,807), job availability (110 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Roanoke vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $79,138 in Roanoke and $66,980 in Springfield. The Roanoke 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