Sonographer Pay

Cedar Park vs Houston: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Cedar Park, TX
$86,300
$41.49/hr
Houston, TX
$99,788
$47.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCedar Park, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$86,300$99,788
Hourly Rate$41.49$47.97
Entry Level (P10)$58,166$74,868
25th Percentile$69,463$86,158
75th Percentile$97,955$105,570
Top Earner (P90)$118,655$111,740
Total Employed121,670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cedar Park ($86,300) and Houston ($99,788) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.Cedar ParkHoustonMedian Salary$86,300$99,788Entry Level (P10)$58,166$74,868Top Earner (P90)$118,655$111,740US Median $101,352

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cedar Park.

The salary gap between Cedar Park and Houston is $13,488 (15.63%). Houston's median is -1.54% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cedar Park spans $60,489,Houston spans $36,872. Cedar Park has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cedar Park
P10 (Entry)$58,166
P25$69,463
Median$86,300
P75$97,955
P90 (Top)$118,655
Houston
P10 (Entry)$74,868
P25$86,158
Median$99,788
P75$105,570
P90 (Top)$111,740

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($101,175 effective) pays 12.55% more than Cedar Park ($89,896 effective).

Cedar Park
Nominal: $86,300
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $89,896
Houston
Nominal: $99,788
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $101,175

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cedar Park if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($118,655)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,788/year)
  • Larger job market (1,670 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,175)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Cedar Park grew 4.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.3% growth in Houston over the same period.

Cedar Park, TX

+4.9%

$78,381 (2024) → $82,245 (2025)

Houston, TX

+31.3%

$72,440 (2019) → $95,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Cedar Park or Houston?

Houston has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $99,788/year, compared to Cedar Park at $86,300/year — a difference of $13,488 (15.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cedar Park and Houston?

Cedar Park diagnostic medical sonographers earn $41.49/hr while Houston hygienists earn $47.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cedar Park to Houston as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cedar Park and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cedar Park = $89,896, Houston = $101,175), job availability (12 vs 1,670 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Cedar Park vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $58,166 in Cedar Park and $74,868 in Houston. The Houston 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