Sonographer Pay

Franklin vs Memphis: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Franklin, TN and Memphis, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Franklin, TN
$92,999
$44.71/hr
Memphis, TN
$87,018
$41.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$92,999$87,018
Hourly Rate$44.71$41.84
Entry Level (P10)$67,567$69,558
25th Percentile$78,445$77,764
75th Percentile$103,656$96,420
Top Earner (P90)$124,569$105,853
Total Employed18390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($92,999) and Memphis ($87,018) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.FranklinMemphisMedian Salary$92,999$87,018Entry Level (P10)$67,567$69,558Top Earner (P90)$124,569$105,853US Median $101,352

Verdict

Franklin, TN offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Memphis.

The salary gap between Franklin and Memphis is $5,981 (6.87%). Franklin's median is -8.24% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Franklin spans $57,002,Memphis spans $36,295. Franklin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Franklin
P10 (Entry)$67,567
P25$78,445
Median$92,999
P75$103,656
P90 (Top)$124,569
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$69,558
P25$77,764
Median$87,018
P75$96,420
P90 (Top)$105,853

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Franklin ($101,306 effective) pays 7.31% more than Memphis ($94,401 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $92,999
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $101,306
Memphis
Nominal: $87,018
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $94,401

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Franklin if…

  • Higher median salary ($92,999/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,569)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,306)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Franklin grew 37.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.0% growth in Memphis over the same period.

Franklin, TN

+37.1%

$64,647 (2024) → $88,630 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+17.0%

$70,900 (2019) → $82,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Franklin or Memphis?

Franklin has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $92,999/year, compared to Memphis at $87,018/year — a difference of $5,981 (6.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Memphis?

Franklin diagnostic medical sonographers earn $44.71/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $41.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Franklin to Memphis as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $101,306, Memphis = $94,401), job availability (18 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Franklin vs Memphis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $67,567 in Franklin and $69,558 in Memphis. The Memphis 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