Sonographer Pay

Cleveland vs Wooster: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$86,609
$41.64/hr
Wooster, OH
$85,315
$41.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHWooster, OH
Median Salary$86,609$85,315
Hourly Rate$41.64$41.02
Entry Level (P10)$68,163$64,903
25th Percentile$84,101$74,073
75th Percentile$101,950$91,299
Top Earner (P90)$106,189$112,661
Total Employed7106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($86,609) and Wooster ($85,315) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.ClevelandWoosterMedian Salary$86,609$85,315Entry Level (P10)$68,163$64,903Top Earner (P90)$106,189$112,661US Median $101,352

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Wooster is $1,294 (1.52%). Cleveland's median is -14.55% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $38,026,Wooster spans $47,758. Wooster has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$68,163
P25$84,101
Median$86,609
P75$101,950
P90 (Top)$106,189
Wooster
P10 (Entry)$64,903
P25$74,073
Median$85,315
P75$91,299
P90 (Top)$112,661

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wooster ($94,063 effective) pays 2.01% more than Cleveland ($92,213 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $86,609
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $92,213
Wooster
Nominal: $85,315
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $94,063

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,609/year)
  • Larger job market (710 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Wooster if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,661)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,063)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Cleveland grew 19.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.9% growth in Wooster over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+19.2%

$69,260 (2019) → $82,540 (2025)

Wooster, OH

+21.9%

$66,706 (2024) → $81,307 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Cleveland or Wooster?

Cleveland has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $86,609/year, compared to Wooster at $85,315/year — a difference of $1,294 (1.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Wooster?

Cleveland diagnostic medical sonographers earn $41.64/hr while Wooster hygienists earn $41.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Wooster as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Wooster. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $92,213, Wooster = $94,063), job availability (710 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Cleveland vs Wooster?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $68,163 in Cleveland and $64,903 in Wooster. The Cleveland 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