Sonographer Pay

Birmingham vs Prattville: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Birmingham, AL and Prattville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$73,336
$35.26/hr
Prattville, AL
$69,921
$33.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALPrattville, AL
Median Salary$73,336$69,921
Hourly Rate$35.26$33.62
Entry Level (P10)$62,906$49,021
25th Percentile$69,201$57,409
75th Percentile$83,073$74,355
Top Earner (P90)$86,599$93,690
Total Employed4508
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($73,336) and Prattville ($69,921) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.BirminghamPrattvilleMedian Salary$73,336$69,921Entry Level (P10)$62,906$49,021Top Earner (P90)$86,599$93,690US Median $101,352

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Prattville.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Prattville is $3,415 (4.88%). Birmingham's median is -27.64% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $23,693,Prattville spans $44,669. Prattville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$62,906
P25$69,201
Median$73,336
P75$83,073
P90 (Top)$86,599
Prattville
P10 (Entry)$49,021
P25$57,409
Median$69,921
P75$74,355
P90 (Top)$93,690

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($80,023 effective) pays 0.60% more than Prattville ($79,546 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $73,336
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $80,023
Prattville
Nominal: $69,921
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $79,546

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,336/year)
  • Larger job market (450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,023)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Prattville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,690)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Birmingham grew 13.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.9% growth in Prattville over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+13.0%

$61,840 (2019) → $69,890 (2025)

Prattville, AL

+13.9%

$58,496 (2024) → $66,636 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Birmingham or Prattville?

Birmingham has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $73,336/year, compared to Prattville at $69,921/year — a difference of $3,415 (4.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Prattville?

Birmingham diagnostic medical sonographers earn $35.26/hr while Prattville hygienists earn $33.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Prattville as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Prattville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $80,023, Prattville = $79,546), job availability (450 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Birmingham vs Prattville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $62,906 in Birmingham and $49,021 in Prattville. The Birmingham 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