Sonographer Pay

Corpus Christi vs Houston: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Corpus Christi, TX
$83,283
$40.04/hr
Houston, TX
$99,788
$47.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCorpus Christi, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$83,283$99,788
Hourly Rate$40.04$47.97
Entry Level (P10)$67,533$74,868
25th Percentile$72,034$86,158
75th Percentile$99,169$105,570
Top Earner (P90)$110,229$111,740
Total Employed1601,670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Corpus Christi ($83,283) and Houston ($99,788) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.Corpus ChristiHoustonMedian Salary$83,283$99,788Entry Level (P10)$67,533$74,868Top Earner (P90)$110,229$111,740US Median $101,352

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Corpus Christi.

The salary gap between Corpus Christi and Houston is $16,505 (19.82%). 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 Corpus Christi spans $42,696,Houston spans $36,872. Corpus Christi has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Corpus Christi
P10 (Entry)$67,533
P25$72,034
Median$83,283
P75$99,169
P90 (Top)$110,229
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 12.58% more than Corpus Christi ($89,870 effective).

Corpus Christi
Nominal: $83,283
CoL Index: 92.671
Adjusted: $89,870
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 Corpus Christi if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,788/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($111,740)
  • 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 Corpus Christi grew 18.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.3% growth in Houston over the same period.

Corpus Christi, TX

+18.9%

$66,780 (2019) → $79,370 (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: Corpus Christi or Houston?

Houston has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $99,788/year, compared to Corpus Christi at $83,283/year — a difference of $16,505 (19.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Corpus Christi and Houston?

Corpus Christi diagnostic medical sonographers earn $40.04/hr while Houston hygienists earn $47.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Corpus Christi to Houston as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Corpus Christi and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Corpus Christi = $89,870, Houston = $101,175), job availability (160 vs 1,670 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Corpus Christi vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $67,533 in Corpus Christi 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