Sonographer Pay

Detroit vs Flint: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Detroit, MI and Flint, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$87,386
$42.01/hr
Flint, MI
$83,136
$39.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIFlint, MI
Median Salary$87,386$83,136
Hourly Rate$42.01$39.97
Entry Level (P10)$71,174$65,476
25th Percentile$82,622$73,063
75th Percentile$97,155$85,371
Top Earner (P90)$100,345$92,485
Total Employed1,490100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($87,386) and Flint ($83,136) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.DetroitFlintMedian Salary$87,386$83,136Entry Level (P10)$71,174$65,476Top Earner (P90)$100,345$92,485US Median $101,352

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Flint.

The salary gap between Detroit and Flint is $4,250 (5.11%). Detroit's median is -13.78% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $29,171,Flint spans $27,009. Detroit has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$71,174
P25$82,622
Median$87,386
P75$97,155
P90 (Top)$100,345
Flint
P10 (Entry)$65,476
P25$73,063
Median$83,136
P75$85,371
P90 (Top)$92,485

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Flint ($89,361 effective) pays 2.56% more than Detroit ($87,126 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $87,386
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $87,126
Flint
Nominal: $83,136
CoL Index: 93.034
Adjusted: $89,361

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,386/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,345)
  • Larger job market (1,490 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Flint if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $89,361)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Detroit grew 26.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 48.8% growth in Flint over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+26.9%

$65,620 (2019) → $83,280 (2025)

Flint, MI

+48.8%

$53,250 (2019) → $79,230 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Detroit or Flint?

Detroit has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $87,386/year, compared to Flint at $83,136/year — a difference of $4,250 (5.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Flint?

Detroit diagnostic medical sonographers earn $42.01/hr while Flint hygienists earn $39.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Flint as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Flint. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $87,126, Flint = $89,361), job availability (1,490 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Detroit vs Flint?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $71,174 in Detroit and $65,476 in Flint. The Detroit area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AK

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