Sonographer Pay

Dallas vs The Woodlands: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$103,681
$49.85/hr
The Woodlands, TX
$98,595
$47.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXThe Woodlands, TX
Median Salary$103,681$98,595
Hourly Rate$49.85$47.40
Entry Level (P10)$84,311$69,845
25th Percentile$91,058$82,354
75th Percentile$107,816$110,843
Top Earner (P90)$121,887$134,979
Total Employed2,16021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($103,681) and The Woodlands ($98,595) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.DallasThe WoodlandsMedian Salary$103,681$98,595Entry Level (P10)$84,311$69,845Top Earner (P90)$121,887$134,979US Median $101,352

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to The Woodlands.

The salary gap between Dallas and The Woodlands is $5,086 (5.16%). 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,The Woodlands spans $65,134. The Woodlands has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$84,311
P25$91,058
Median$103,681
P75$107,816
P90 (Top)$121,887
The Woodlands
P10 (Entry)$69,845
P25$82,354
Median$98,595
P75$110,843
P90 (Top)$134,979

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, The Woodlands ($102,703 effective) pays 2.12% more than Dallas ($100,573 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $103,681
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $100,573
The Woodlands
Nominal: $98,595
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $102,703

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)
  • Larger job market (2,160 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose The Woodlands if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($134,979)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,703)
  • 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 19.6% growth in The Woodlands over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+32.9%

$74,330 (2019) → $98,810 (2025)

The Woodlands, TX

+19.6%

$78,556 (2024) → $93,963 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Dallas or The Woodlands?

Dallas has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $103,681/year, compared to The Woodlands at $98,595/year — a difference of $5,086 (5.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and The Woodlands?

Dallas diagnostic medical sonographers earn $49.85/hr while The Woodlands hygienists earn $47.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to The Woodlands as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and The Woodlands. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $100,573, The Woodlands = $102,703), job availability (2,160 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Dallas vs The Woodlands?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $84,311 in Dallas and $69,845 in The Woodlands. 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