Sonographer Pay

Boulder vs Longmont: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Boulder, CO and Longmont, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boulder, CO
$120,271
$57.83/hr
Longmont, CO
$110,701
$53.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, COLongmont, CO
Median Salary$120,271$110,701
Hourly Rate$57.83$53.22
Entry Level (P10)$104,909$81,561
25th Percentile$104,909$94,226
75th Percentile$135,055$124,066
Top Earner (P90)$143,397$149,980
Total Employed16015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($120,271) and Longmont ($110,701) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.BoulderLongmontMedian Salary$120,271$110,701Entry Level (P10)$104,909$81,561Top Earner (P90)$143,397$149,980US Median $101,352

Verdict

Boulder, CO offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Longmont.

The salary gap between Boulder and Longmont is $9,570 (8.64%). Boulder's median is +18.67% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boulder spans $38,488,Longmont spans $68,419. Longmont has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Boulder
P10 (Entry)$104,909
P25$104,909
Median$120,271
P75$135,055
P90 (Top)$143,397
Longmont
P10 (Entry)$81,561
P25$94,226
Median$110,701
P75$124,066
P90 (Top)$149,980

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($114,324 effective) pays 8.44% more than Longmont ($105,430 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $120,271
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $114,324
Longmont
Nominal: $110,701
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $105,430

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boulder if…

  • Higher median salary ($120,271/year)
  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,324)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Longmont if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($149,980)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Boulder grew 27.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.9% growth in Longmont over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+27.7%

$89,780 (2019) → $114,620 (2025)

Longmont, CO

+10.9%

$95,095 (2024) → $105,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Boulder or Longmont?

Boulder has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $120,271/year, compared to Longmont at $110,701/year — a difference of $9,570 (8.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Longmont?

Boulder diagnostic medical sonographers earn $57.83/hr while Longmont hygienists earn $53.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boulder to Longmont as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Longmont. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $114,324, Longmont = $105,430), job availability (160 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Boulder vs Longmont?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $104,909 in Boulder and $81,561 in Longmont. The Boulder 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