Sonographer Pay

Austin vs Rowlett: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Austin, TX
$102,842
$49.44/hr
Rowlett, TX
$84,903
$40.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXRowlett, TX
Median Salary$102,842$84,903
Hourly Rate$49.44$40.82
Entry Level (P10)$66,935$59,065
25th Percentile$81,835$69,912
75th Percentile$107,973$94,656
Top Earner (P90)$120,040$114,200
Total Employed50015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($102,842) and Rowlett ($84,903) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.AustinRowlettMedian Salary$102,842$84,903Entry Level (P10)$66,935$59,065Top Earner (P90)$120,040$114,200US Median $101,352

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Austin and Rowlett is $17,939 (21.13%). 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,Rowlett spans $55,135. Rowlett has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$66,935
P25$81,835
Median$102,842
P75$107,973
P90 (Top)$120,040
Rowlett
P10 (Entry)$59,065
P25$69,912
Median$84,903
P75$94,656
P90 (Top)$114,200

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($104,870 effective) pays 18.58% more than Rowlett ($88,441 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $102,842
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $104,870
Rowlett
Nominal: $84,903
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $88,441

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 Rowlett 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 Rowlett over the same period.

Austin, TX

+34.4%

$72,940 (2019) → $98,010 (2025)

Rowlett, TX

+4.9%

$77,113 (2024) → $80,914 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Austin has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $102,842/year, compared to Rowlett at $84,903/year — a difference of $17,939 (21.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Rowlett?

Austin diagnostic medical sonographers earn $49.44/hr while Rowlett hygienists earn $40.82/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Rowlett. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $104,870, Rowlett = $88,441), job availability (500 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $66,935 in Austin and $59,065 in Rowlett. The Austin 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