Sonographer Pay

Austin vs Cleburne: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Austin, TX and Cleburne, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$102,842
$49.44/hr
Cleburne, TX
$86,160
$41.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXCleburne, TX
Median Salary$102,842$86,160
Hourly Rate$49.44$41.43
Entry Level (P10)$66,935$62,578
25th Percentile$81,835$72,413
75th Percentile$107,973$95,005
Top Earner (P90)$120,040$112,747
Total Employed5007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($102,842) and Cleburne ($86,160) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.AustinCleburneMedian Salary$102,842$86,160Entry Level (P10)$66,935$62,578Top Earner (P90)$120,040$112,747US Median $101,352

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cleburne.

The salary gap between Austin and Cleburne is $16,682 (19.36%). Austin's median is +1.47% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $53,105,Cleburne spans $50,169. Austin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$66,935
P25$81,835
Median$102,842
P75$107,973
P90 (Top)$120,040
Cleburne
P10 (Entry)$62,578
P25$72,413
Median$86,160
P75$95,005
P90 (Top)$112,747

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($104,870 effective) pays 16.85% more than Cleburne ($89,750 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $102,842
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $104,870
Cleburne
Nominal: $86,160
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $89,750

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,842/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($120,040)
  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,870)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Cleburne if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Austin grew 34.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.9% growth in Cleburne over the same period.

Austin, TX

+34.4%

$72,940 (2019) → $98,010 (2025)

Cleburne, TX

+4.9%

$78,255 (2024) → $82,112 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Austin or Cleburne?

Austin has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $102,842/year, compared to Cleburne at $86,160/year — a difference of $16,682 (19.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Cleburne?

Austin diagnostic medical sonographers earn $49.44/hr while Cleburne hygienists earn $41.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Cleburne as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Cleburne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $104,870, Cleburne = $89,750), job availability (500 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Austin vs Cleburne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $66,935 in Austin and $62,578 in Cleburne. The Austin 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