Sonographer Pay

Duncanville vs Houston: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Duncanville, TX
$83,954
$40.37/hr
Houston, TX
$99,788
$47.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuncanville, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$83,954$99,788
Hourly Rate$40.37$47.97
Entry Level (P10)$57,431$74,868
25th Percentile$71,125$86,158
75th Percentile$93,089$105,570
Top Earner (P90)$111,021$111,740
Total Employed81,670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duncanville ($83,954) and Houston ($99,788) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.DuncanvilleHoustonMedian Salary$83,954$99,788Entry Level (P10)$57,431$74,868Top Earner (P90)$111,021$111,740US Median $101,352

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Duncanville.

The salary gap between Duncanville and Houston is $15,834 (18.86%). Houston's median is -1.54% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duncanville spans $53,590,Houston spans $36,872. Duncanville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Duncanville
P10 (Entry)$57,431
P25$71,125
Median$83,954
P75$93,089
P90 (Top)$111,021
Houston
P10 (Entry)$74,868
P25$86,158
Median$99,788
P75$105,570
P90 (Top)$111,740

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($101,175 effective) pays 15.69% more than Duncanville ($87,452 effective).

Duncanville
Nominal: $83,954
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $87,452
Houston
Nominal: $99,788
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $101,175

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duncanville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,788/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($111,740)
  • Larger job market (1,670 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,175)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Duncanville grew 4.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.3% growth in Houston over the same period.

Duncanville, TX

+4.9%

$76,251 (2024) → $80,010 (2025)

Houston, TX

+31.3%

$72,440 (2019) → $95,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Duncanville or Houston?

Houston has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $99,788/year, compared to Duncanville at $83,954/year — a difference of $15,834 (18.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duncanville and Houston?

Duncanville diagnostic medical sonographers earn $40.37/hr while Houston hygienists earn $47.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duncanville to Houston as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duncanville and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duncanville = $87,452, Houston = $101,175), job availability (8 vs 1,670 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Duncanville vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $57,431 in Duncanville and $74,868 in Houston. The Houston 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