Sonographer Pay

Gadsden vs Huntsville: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Gadsden, AL
$69,124
$33.23/hr
Huntsville, AL
$71,457
$34.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGadsden, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$69,124$71,457
Hourly Rate$33.23$34.35
Entry Level (P10)$52,850$54,889
25th Percentile$59,995$61,374
75th Percentile$76,546$83,818
Top Earner (P90)$91,248$96,703
Total Employed7150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gadsden ($69,124) and Huntsville ($71,457) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.GadsdenHuntsvilleMedian Salary$69,124$71,457Entry Level (P10)$52,850$54,889Top Earner (P90)$91,248$96,703US Median $101,352

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Gadsden and Huntsville is $2,333 (3.38%). 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 Gadsden spans $38,398,Huntsville spans $41,814. Huntsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Gadsden
P10 (Entry)$52,850
P25$59,995
Median$69,124
P75$76,546
P90 (Top)$91,248
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, Gadsden ($78,639 effective) pays 2.43% more than Huntsville ($76,776 effective).

Gadsden
Nominal: $69,124
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $78,639
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 Gadsden if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,639)
  • 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 Gadsden grew 37.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.9% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Gadsden, AL

+37.2%

$48,010 (2019) → $65,876 (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: Gadsden or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $71,457/year, compared to Gadsden at $69,124/year — a difference of $2,333 (3.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gadsden and Huntsville?

Gadsden diagnostic medical sonographers earn $33.23/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $34.35/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gadsden and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gadsden = $78,639, Huntsville = $76,776), job availability (7 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $52,850 in Gadsden and $54,889 in Huntsville. The Huntsville 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