Sonographer Pay

Davenport vs Marshalltown: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Davenport, IA and Marshalltown, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$86,955
$41.80/hr
Marshalltown, IA
$82,818
$39.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAMarshalltown, IA
Median Salary$86,955$82,818
Hourly Rate$41.80$39.82
Entry Level (P10)$80,691$61,200
25th Percentile$84,458$68,474
75th Percentile$101,908$90,317
Top Earner (P90)$105,035$106,626
Total Employed1008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($86,955) and Marshalltown ($82,818) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.DavenportMarshalltownMedian Salary$86,955$82,818Entry Level (P10)$80,691$61,200Top Earner (P90)$105,035$106,626US Median $101,352

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Marshalltown.

The salary gap between Davenport and Marshalltown is $4,137 (5.00%). Davenport's median is -14.20% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $24,344,Marshalltown spans $45,426. Marshalltown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$80,691
P25$84,458
Median$86,955
P75$101,908
P90 (Top)$105,035
Marshalltown
P10 (Entry)$61,200
P25$68,474
Median$82,818
P75$90,317
P90 (Top)$106,626

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($97,616 effective) pays 6.55% more than Marshalltown ($91,613 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $86,955
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $97,616
Marshalltown
Nominal: $82,818
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $91,613

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,955/year)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,616)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Marshalltown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($106,626)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Davenport grew 16.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.6% growth in Marshalltown over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+16.6%

$71,080 (2019) → $82,870 (2025)

Marshalltown, IA

+20.6%

$65,435 (2024) → $78,927 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Davenport or Marshalltown?

Davenport has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $86,955/year, compared to Marshalltown at $82,818/year — a difference of $4,137 (5.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Marshalltown?

Davenport diagnostic medical sonographers earn $41.80/hr while Marshalltown hygienists earn $39.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Marshalltown as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Marshalltown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $97,616, Marshalltown = $91,613), job availability (100 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Davenport vs Marshalltown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $80,691 in Davenport and $61,200 in Marshalltown. The Davenport 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