Sonographer Pay

Davenport vs Muscatine: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Davenport, IA
$86,955
$41.80/hr
Muscatine, IA
$81,212
$39.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAMuscatine, IA
Median Salary$86,955$81,212
Hourly Rate$41.80$39.04
Entry Level (P10)$80,691$63,454
25th Percentile$84,458$71,217
75th Percentile$101,908$88,228
Top Earner (P90)$105,035$103,107
Total Employed1005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($86,955) and Muscatine ($81,212) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.DavenportMuscatineMedian Salary$86,955$81,212Entry Level (P10)$80,691$63,454Top Earner (P90)$105,035$103,107US Median $101,352

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Davenport and Muscatine is $5,743 (7.07%). 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,Muscatine spans $39,653. Muscatine 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
Muscatine
P10 (Entry)$63,454
P25$71,217
Median$81,212
P75$88,228
P90 (Top)$103,107

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($97,616 effective) pays 8.66% more than Muscatine ($89,836 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $86,955
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $97,616
Muscatine
Nominal: $81,212
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $89,836

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($105,035)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,616)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Muscatine if…

  • 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 Muscatine over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+16.6%

$71,080 (2019) → $82,870 (2025)

Muscatine, IA

+20.6%

$64,166 (2024) → $77,396 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Davenport has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $86,955/year, compared to Muscatine at $81,212/year — a difference of $5,743 (7.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Muscatine?

Davenport diagnostic medical sonographers earn $41.80/hr while Muscatine hygienists earn $39.04/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Muscatine. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $97,616, Muscatine = $89,836), job availability (100 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $80,691 in Davenport and $63,454 in Muscatine. 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