Sonographer Pay

Beckley vs Huntington: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Beckley, WV and Huntington, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Beckley, WV
$70,523
$33.90/hr
Huntington, WV
$82,716
$39.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeckley, WVHuntington, WV
Median Salary$70,523$82,716
Hourly Rate$33.90$39.77
Entry Level (P10)$61,111$70,828
25th Percentile$67,774$80,607
75th Percentile$78,886$84,532
Top Earner (P90)$83,608$105,654
Total Employed50160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beckley ($70,523) and Huntington ($82,716) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.BeckleyHuntingtonMedian Salary$70,523$82,716Entry Level (P10)$61,111$70,828Top Earner (P90)$83,608$105,654US Median $101,352

Verdict

Huntington, WV offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Beckley.

The salary gap between Beckley and Huntington is $12,193 (17.29%). Huntington's median is -18.39% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Beckley spans $22,497,Huntington spans $34,826. Huntington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Beckley
P10 (Entry)$61,111
P25$67,774
Median$70,523
P75$78,886
P90 (Top)$83,608
Huntington
P10 (Entry)$70,828
P25$80,607
Median$82,716
P75$84,532
P90 (Top)$105,654

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntington ($93,547 effective) pays 17.22% more than Beckley ($79,805 effective).

Beckley
Nominal: $70,523
CoL Index: 88.369
Adjusted: $79,805
Huntington
Nominal: $82,716
CoL Index: 88.422
Adjusted: $93,547

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Beckley if…

  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Huntington if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,716/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($105,654)
  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,547)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Beckley grew 16.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.6% growth in Huntington over the same period.

Beckley, WV

+16.2%

$57,830 (2019) → $67,210 (2025)

Huntington, WV

+19.6%

$65,910 (2019) → $78,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Beckley or Huntington?

Huntington has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $82,716/year, compared to Beckley at $70,523/year — a difference of $12,193 (17.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Beckley and Huntington?

Beckley diagnostic medical sonographers earn $33.90/hr while Huntington hygienists earn $39.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Beckley to Huntington as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beckley and Huntington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beckley = $79,805, Huntington = $93,547), job availability (50 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Beckley vs Huntington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $61,111 in Beckley and $70,828 in Huntington. The Huntington area offers higher starting salaries.
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