Sonographer Pay

Dallas vs El Paso: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Dallas, TX and El Paso, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$103,681
$49.85/hr
El Paso, TX
$85,014
$40.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXEl Paso, TX
Median Salary$103,681$85,014
Hourly Rate$49.85$40.87
Entry Level (P10)$84,311$63,525
25th Percentile$91,058$76,851
75th Percentile$107,816$93,041
Top Earner (P90)$121,887$99,022
Total Employed2,160150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($103,681) and El Paso ($85,014) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.DallasEl PasoMedian Salary$103,681$85,014Entry Level (P10)$84,311$63,525Top Earner (P90)$121,887$99,022US Median $101,352

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to El Paso.

The salary gap between Dallas and El Paso is $18,667 (21.96%). Dallas's median is +2.30% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $37,576,El Paso spans $35,497. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$84,311
P25$91,058
Median$103,681
P75$107,816
P90 (Top)$121,887
El Paso
P10 (Entry)$63,525
P25$76,851
Median$85,014
P75$93,041
P90 (Top)$99,022

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($100,573 effective) pays 6.37% more than El Paso ($94,552 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $103,681
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $100,573
El Paso
Nominal: $85,014
CoL Index: 89.912
Adjusted: $94,552

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,681/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($121,887)
  • Larger job market (2,160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,573)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose El Paso if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Dallas grew 32.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.9% growth in El Paso over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+32.9%

$74,330 (2019) → $98,810 (2025)

El Paso, TX

+21.9%

$66,440 (2019) → $81,020 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Dallas or El Paso?

Dallas has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $103,681/year, compared to El Paso at $85,014/year — a difference of $18,667 (21.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and El Paso?

Dallas diagnostic medical sonographers earn $49.85/hr while El Paso hygienists earn $40.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to El Paso as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and El Paso. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $100,573, El Paso = $94,552), job availability (2,160 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Dallas vs El Paso?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $84,311 in Dallas and $63,525 in El Paso. The Dallas 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