Sonographer Pay

Gulfport vs Hernando: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Gulfport, MS and Hernando, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gulfport, MS
$75,308
$36.20/hr
Hernando, MS
$81,768
$39.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGulfport, MSHernando, MS
Median Salary$75,308$81,768
Hourly Rate$36.20$39.31
Entry Level (P10)$67,470$57,765
25th Percentile$69,736$70,660
75th Percentile$82,297$89,525
Top Earner (P90)$88,603$105,228
Total Employed606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gulfport ($75,308) and Hernando ($81,768) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.GulfportHernandoMedian Salary$75,308$81,768Entry Level (P10)$67,470$57,765Top Earner (P90)$88,603$105,228US Median $101,352

Verdict

Hernando, MS offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Gulfport.

The salary gap between Gulfport and Hernando is $6,460 (8.58%). Hernando's median is -19.32% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gulfport spans $21,133,Hernando spans $47,463. Hernando has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Gulfport
P10 (Entry)$67,470
P25$69,736
Median$75,308
P75$82,297
P90 (Top)$88,603
Hernando
P10 (Entry)$57,765
P25$70,660
Median$81,768
P75$89,525
P90 (Top)$105,228

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hernando ($95,412 effective) pays 14.03% more than Gulfport ($83,670 effective).

Gulfport
Nominal: $75,308
CoL Index: 90.006
Adjusted: $83,670
Hernando
Nominal: $81,768
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $95,412

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gulfport if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Hernando if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,768/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($105,228)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,412)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Gulfport grew 14.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 55.8% growth in Hernando over the same period.

Gulfport, MS

+14.6%

$62,610 (2019) → $71,770 (2025)

Hernando, MS

+55.8%

$50,020 (2024) → $77,926 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Gulfport or Hernando?

Hernando has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $81,768/year, compared to Gulfport at $75,308/year — a difference of $6,460 (8.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gulfport and Hernando?

Gulfport diagnostic medical sonographers earn $36.20/hr while Hernando hygienists earn $39.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gulfport to Hernando as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gulfport and Hernando. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gulfport = $83,670, Hernando = $95,412), job availability (60 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Gulfport vs Hernando?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $67,470 in Gulfport and $57,765 in Hernando. The Gulfport 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