Sonographer Pay

Anaheim vs Los Angeles: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Anaheim, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anaheim, CA
$127,549
$61.32/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$125,318
$60.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnaheim, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$127,549$125,318
Hourly Rate$61.32$60.25
Entry Level (P10)$84,213$59,999
25th Percentile$101,983$90,219
75th Percentile$145,223$149,861
Top Earner (P90)$178,788$176,660
Total Employed513,550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anaheim ($127,549) and Los Angeles ($125,318) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.AnaheimLos AngelesMedian Salary$127,549$125,318Entry Level (P10)$84,213$59,999Top Earner (P90)$178,788$176,660US Median $101,352

Verdict

Anaheim, CA offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Anaheim and Los Angeles is $2,231 (1.78%). Anaheim's median is +25.85% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anaheim spans $94,575,Los Angeles spans $116,661. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Anaheim
P10 (Entry)$84,213
P25$101,983
Median$127,549
P75$145,223
P90 (Top)$178,788
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$59,999
P25$90,219
Median$125,318
P75$149,861
P90 (Top)$176,660

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Anaheim ($112,775 effective) pays 2.20% more than Los Angeles ($110,348 effective).

Anaheim
Nominal: $127,549
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $112,775
Los Angeles
Nominal: $125,318
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $110,348

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anaheim if…

  • Higher median salary ($127,549/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($178,788)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,775)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (3,550 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Anaheim grew -18.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.3% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Anaheim, CA

+-18.9%

$149,877 (2024) → $121,556 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+25.3%

$95,340 (2019) → $119,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Anaheim or Los Angeles?

Anaheim has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $127,549/year, compared to Los Angeles at $125,318/year — a difference of $2,231 (1.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anaheim and Los Angeles?

Anaheim diagnostic medical sonographers earn $61.32/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $60.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anaheim to Los Angeles as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anaheim and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anaheim = $112,775, Los Angeles = $110,348), job availability (51 vs 3,550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Anaheim vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $84,213 in Anaheim and $59,999 in Los Angeles. The Anaheim 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