Sonographer Pay

Dothan vs Huntsville: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Dothan, AL and Huntsville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dothan, AL
$65,707
$31.59/hr
Huntsville, AL
$71,457
$34.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDothan, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$65,707$71,457
Hourly Rate$31.59$34.35
Entry Level (P10)$53,241$54,889
25th Percentile$60,398$61,374
75th Percentile$76,421$83,818
Top Earner (P90)$83,598$96,703
Total Employed70150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dothan ($65,707) and Huntsville ($71,457) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.DothanHuntsvilleMedian Salary$65,707$71,457Entry Level (P10)$53,241$54,889Top Earner (P90)$83,598$96,703US Median $101,352

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Dothan.

The salary gap between Dothan and Huntsville is $5,750 (8.75%). Huntsville's median is -29.50% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dothan spans $30,357,Huntsville spans $41,814. Huntsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Dothan
P10 (Entry)$53,241
P25$60,398
Median$65,707
P75$76,421
P90 (Top)$83,598
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$54,889
P25$61,374
Median$71,457
P75$83,818
P90 (Top)$96,703

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dothan ($78,378 effective) pays 2.09% more than Huntsville ($76,776 effective).

Dothan
Nominal: $65,707
CoL Index: 83.833
Adjusted: $78,378
Huntsville
Nominal: $71,457
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $76,776

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dothan if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,378)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,457/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,703)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Dothan grew 26.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.9% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Dothan, AL

+26.5%

$49,490 (2019) → $62,620 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+10.9%

$61,390 (2019) → $68,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Dothan or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $71,457/year, compared to Dothan at $65,707/year — a difference of $5,750 (8.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dothan and Huntsville?

Dothan diagnostic medical sonographers earn $31.59/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $34.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dothan to Huntsville as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dothan and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dothan = $78,378, Huntsville = $76,776), job availability (70 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Dothan vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $53,241 in Dothan and $54,889 in Huntsville. The Huntsville 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