Sonographer Pay

Evansville vs Valparaiso: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Evansville, IN and Valparaiso, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Evansville, IN
$89,421
$42.99/hr
Valparaiso, IN
$86,426
$41.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEvansville, INValparaiso, IN
Median Salary$89,421$86,426
Hourly Rate$42.99$41.55
Entry Level (P10)$66,599$61,368
25th Percentile$83,766$71,803
75th Percentile$107,973$92,593
Top Earner (P90)$125,947$108,977
Total Employed809
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Evansville ($89,421) and Valparaiso ($86,426) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.EvansvilleValparaisoMedian Salary$89,421$86,426Entry Level (P10)$66,599$61,368Top Earner (P90)$125,947$108,977US Median $101,352

Verdict

Evansville, IN offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Valparaiso.

The salary gap between Evansville and Valparaiso is $2,995 (3.47%). Evansville's median is -11.77% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Evansville spans $59,348,Valparaiso spans $47,609. Evansville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Evansville
P10 (Entry)$66,599
P25$83,766
Median$89,421
P75$107,973
P90 (Top)$125,947
Valparaiso
P10 (Entry)$61,368
P25$71,803
Median$86,426
P75$92,593
P90 (Top)$108,977

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Evansville ($97,698 effective) pays 3.21% more than Valparaiso ($94,662 effective).

Evansville
Nominal: $89,421
CoL Index: 91.528
Adjusted: $97,698
Valparaiso
Nominal: $86,426
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $94,662

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Evansville if…

  • Higher median salary ($89,421/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,947)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,698)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Valparaiso if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Evansville grew 34.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.6% growth in Valparaiso over the same period.

Evansville, IN

+34.3%

$63,450 (2019) → $85,220 (2025)

Valparaiso, IN

+23.6%

$66,644 (2024) → $82,365 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Evansville or Valparaiso?

Evansville has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $89,421/year, compared to Valparaiso at $86,426/year — a difference of $2,995 (3.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Evansville and Valparaiso?

Evansville diagnostic medical sonographers earn $42.99/hr while Valparaiso hygienists earn $41.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Evansville to Valparaiso as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Evansville and Valparaiso. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Evansville = $97,698, Valparaiso = $94,662), job availability (80 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Evansville vs Valparaiso?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $66,599 in Evansville and $61,368 in Valparaiso. The Evansville 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