Sonographer Pay

East Honolulu vs Urban Honolulu: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between East Honolulu, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

East Honolulu, HI
$118,529
$56.99/hr
Urban Honolulu, HI
$129,137
$62.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Honolulu, HIUrban Honolulu, HI
Median Salary$118,529$129,137
Hourly Rate$56.99$62.09
Entry Level (P10)$82,928$85,329
25th Percentile$97,562$118,539
75th Percentile$126,102$136,042
Top Earner (P90)$159,501$142,348
Total Employed12160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Honolulu ($118,529) and Urban Honolulu ($129,137) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.East HonoluluUrban HonoluluMedian Salary$118,529$129,137Entry Level (P10)$82,928$85,329Top Earner (P90)$159,501$142,348US Median $101,352

Verdict

Urban Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to East Honolulu.

The salary gap between East Honolulu and Urban Honolulu is $10,608 (8.95%). Urban Honolulu's median is +27.41% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Honolulu spans $76,573,Urban Honolulu spans $57,019. East Honolulu has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

East Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$82,928
P25$97,562
Median$118,529
P75$126,102
P90 (Top)$159,501
Urban Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$85,329
P25$118,539
Median$129,137
P75$136,042
P90 (Top)$142,348

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Urban Honolulu ($116,381 effective) pays 17.14% more than East Honolulu ($99,354 effective).

East Honolulu
Nominal: $118,529
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $99,354
Urban Honolulu
Nominal: $129,137
CoL Index: 110.961
Adjusted: $116,381

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose East Honolulu if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($159,501)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Urban Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,137/year)
  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,381)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in East Honolulu grew -7.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.3% growth in Urban Honolulu over the same period.

East Honolulu, HI

+-7.1%

$121,626 (2024) → $112,960 (2025)

Urban Honolulu, HI

+16.3%

$105,840 (2019) → $123,070 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: East Honolulu or Urban Honolulu?

Urban Honolulu has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $129,137/year, compared to East Honolulu at $118,529/year — a difference of $10,608 (8.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between East Honolulu and Urban Honolulu?

East Honolulu diagnostic medical sonographers earn $56.99/hr while Urban Honolulu hygienists earn $62.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Honolulu to Urban Honolulu as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Honolulu and Urban Honolulu. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Honolulu = $99,354, Urban Honolulu = $116,381), job availability (12 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in East Honolulu vs Urban Honolulu?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $82,928 in East Honolulu and $85,329 in Urban Honolulu. The Urban Honolulu area offers higher starting salaries.
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