Sonographer Pay

Boise City vs Meridian: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Boise City, ID and Meridian, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise City, ID
$105,150
$50.56/hr
Meridian, ID
$96,949
$46.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise City, IDMeridian, ID
Median Salary$105,150$96,949
Hourly Rate$50.56$46.61
Entry Level (P10)$84,574$69,846
25th Percentile$86,966$81,643
75th Percentile$108,833$106,013
Top Earner (P90)$123,870$133,611
Total Employed24030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise City ($105,150) and Meridian ($96,949) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.Boise CityMeridianMedian Salary$105,150$96,949Entry Level (P10)$84,574$69,846Top Earner (P90)$123,870$133,611US Median $101,352

Verdict

Boise City, ID offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Meridian.

The salary gap between Boise City and Meridian is $8,201 (8.46%). Boise City's median is +3.75% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise City spans $39,296,Meridian spans $63,765. Meridian has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Boise City
P10 (Entry)$84,574
P25$86,966
Median$105,150
P75$108,833
P90 (Top)$123,870
Meridian
P10 (Entry)$69,846
P25$81,643
Median$96,949
P75$106,013
P90 (Top)$133,611

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise City ($106,870 effective) pays 5.05% more than Meridian ($101,730 effective).

Boise City
Nominal: $105,150
CoL Index: 98.391
Adjusted: $106,870
Meridian
Nominal: $96,949
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $101,730

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise City if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,150/year)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,870)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Meridian if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($133,611)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Boise City grew 30.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.8% growth in Meridian over the same period.

Boise City, ID

+30.2%

$76,940 (2019) → $100,210 (2025)

Meridian, ID

+17.8%

$78,438 (2024) → $92,394 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Boise City or Meridian?

Boise City has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $105,150/year, compared to Meridian at $96,949/year — a difference of $8,201 (8.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise City and Meridian?

Boise City diagnostic medical sonographers earn $50.56/hr while Meridian hygienists earn $46.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise City to Meridian as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise City and Meridian. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise City = $106,870, Meridian = $101,730), job availability (240 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Boise City vs Meridian?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $84,574 in Boise City and $69,846 in Meridian. The Boise City area offers higher starting salaries.
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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