Sonographer Pay

Conway vs Fayetteville: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Conway, AR and Fayetteville, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Conway, AR
$84,420
$40.59/hr
Fayetteville, AR
$89,002
$42.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConway, ARFayetteville, AR
Median Salary$84,420$89,002
Hourly Rate$40.59$42.79
Entry Level (P10)$60,091$71,174
25th Percentile$70,276$82,874
75th Percentile$93,162$103,608
Top Earner (P90)$111,524$111,939
Total Employed14120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Conway ($84,420) and Fayetteville ($89,002) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.ConwayFayettevilleMedian Salary$84,420$89,002Entry Level (P10)$60,091$71,174Top Earner (P90)$111,524$111,939US Median $101,352

Verdict

Fayetteville, AR offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Conway.

The salary gap between Conway and Fayetteville is $4,582 (5.43%). Fayetteville's median is -12.19% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Conway spans $51,433,Fayetteville spans $40,765. Conway has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Conway
P10 (Entry)$60,091
P25$70,276
Median$84,420
P75$93,162
P90 (Top)$111,524
Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$71,174
P25$82,874
Median$89,002
P75$103,608
P90 (Top)$111,939

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fayetteville ($97,426 effective) pays 0.29% more than Conway ($97,146 effective).

Conway
Nominal: $84,420
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $97,146
Fayetteville
Nominal: $89,002
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $97,426

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Conway if…

  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Higher median salary ($89,002/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($111,939)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,426)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Conway grew 44.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.6% growth in Fayetteville over the same period.

Conway, AR

+44.8%

$55,574 (2024) → $80,454 (2025)

Fayetteville, AR

+29.6%

$65,450 (2019) → $84,820 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Conway or Fayetteville?

Fayetteville has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $89,002/year, compared to Conway at $84,420/year — a difference of $4,582 (5.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Conway and Fayetteville?

Conway diagnostic medical sonographers earn $40.59/hr while Fayetteville hygienists earn $42.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Conway to Fayetteville as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Conway and Fayetteville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Conway = $97,146, Fayetteville = $97,426), job availability (14 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Conway vs Fayetteville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $60,091 in Conway and $71,174 in Fayetteville. The Fayetteville area offers higher starting salaries.
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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