Sonographer Pay

Chicago vs Tinley Park: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Chicago, IL and Tinley Park, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chicago, IL
$108,162
$52.00/hr
Tinley Park, IL
$100,230
$48.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILTinley Park, IL
Median Salary$108,162$100,230
Hourly Rate$52.00$48.18
Entry Level (P10)$86,735$73,911
25th Percentile$98,204$85,669
75th Percentile$118,403$112,687
Top Earner (P90)$130,103$136,387
Total Employed2,2808
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($108,162) and Tinley Park ($100,230) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.ChicagoTinley ParkMedian Salary$108,162$100,230Entry Level (P10)$86,735$73,911Top Earner (P90)$130,103$136,387US Median $101,352

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tinley Park.

The salary gap between Chicago and Tinley Park is $7,932 (7.91%). Chicago's median is +6.72% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $43,368,Tinley Park spans $62,476. Tinley Park has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$86,735
P25$98,204
Median$108,162
P75$118,403
P90 (Top)$130,103
Tinley Park
P10 (Entry)$73,911
P25$85,669
Median$100,230
P75$112,687
P90 (Top)$136,387

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($104,409 effective) pays 1.15% more than Tinley Park ($103,223 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $108,162
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $104,409
Tinley Park
Nominal: $100,230
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $103,223

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,162/year)
  • Larger job market (2,280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,409)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Tinley Park if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($136,387)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Chicago grew 30.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.6% growth in Tinley Park over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+30.3%

$79,120 (2019) → $103,080 (2025)

Tinley Park, IL

+18.6%

$80,532 (2024) → $95,521 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Chicago or Tinley Park?

Chicago has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $108,162/year, compared to Tinley Park at $100,230/year — a difference of $7,932 (7.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Tinley Park?

Chicago diagnostic medical sonographers earn $52.00/hr while Tinley Park hygienists earn $48.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Tinley Park as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Tinley Park. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $104,409, Tinley Park = $103,223), job availability (2,280 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Chicago vs Tinley Park?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $86,735 in Chicago and $73,911 in Tinley Park. The Chicago 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