Sonographer Pay

Chillicothe vs Columbus: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Chillicothe, OH and Columbus, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chillicothe, OH
$83,008
$39.90/hr
Columbus, OH
$88,351
$42.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChillicothe, OHColumbus, OH
Median Salary$83,008$88,351
Hourly Rate$39.90$42.48
Entry Level (P10)$58,663$68,131
25th Percentile$73,622$84,941
75th Percentile$90,899$104,353
Top Earner (P90)$106,849$106,819
Total Employed6530
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chillicothe ($83,008) and Columbus ($88,351) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.ChillicotheColumbusMedian Salary$83,008$88,351Entry Level (P10)$58,663$68,131Top Earner (P90)$106,849$106,819US Median $101,352

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Chillicothe.

The salary gap between Chillicothe and Columbus is $5,343 (6.44%). Columbus's median is -12.83% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chillicothe spans $48,186,Columbus spans $38,688. Chillicothe has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chillicothe
P10 (Entry)$58,663
P25$73,622
Median$83,008
P75$90,899
P90 (Top)$106,849
Columbus
P10 (Entry)$68,131
P25$84,941
Median$88,351
P75$104,353
P90 (Top)$106,819

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($92,544 effective) pays 1.12% more than Chillicothe ($91,519 effective).

Chillicothe
Nominal: $83,008
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $91,519
Columbus
Nominal: $88,351
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $92,544

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chillicothe if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($106,849)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,351/year)
  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,544)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Chillicothe grew 21.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.5% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Chillicothe, OH

+21.9%

$64,902 (2024) → $79,108 (2025)

Columbus, OH

+23.5%

$68,180 (2019) → $84,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Chillicothe or Columbus?

Columbus has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $88,351/year, compared to Chillicothe at $83,008/year — a difference of $5,343 (6.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chillicothe and Columbus?

Chillicothe diagnostic medical sonographers earn $39.90/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $42.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chillicothe to Columbus as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chillicothe and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chillicothe = $91,519, Columbus = $92,544), job availability (6 vs 530 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Chillicothe vs Columbus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $58,663 in Chillicothe and $68,131 in Columbus. The Columbus 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