Sonographer Pay

Hesperia vs Riverside: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Hesperia, CA and Riverside, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hesperia, CA
$136,221
$65.49/hr
Riverside, CA
$111,079
$53.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHesperia, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$136,221$111,079
Hourly Rate$65.49$53.41
Entry Level (P10)$92,238$64,322
25th Percentile$109,854$102,076
75th Percentile$154,747$135,748
Top Earner (P90)$188,020$158,046
Total Employed14960
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hesperia ($136,221) and Riverside ($111,079) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.HesperiaRiversideMedian Salary$136,221$111,079Entry Level (P10)$92,238$64,322Top Earner (P90)$188,020$158,046US Median $101,352

Verdict

Hesperia, CA offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Hesperia and Riverside is $25,142 (22.63%). Hesperia's median is +34.40% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hesperia spans $95,782,Riverside spans $93,724. Hesperia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hesperia
P10 (Entry)$92,238
P25$109,854
Median$136,221
P75$154,747
P90 (Top)$188,020
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$64,322
P25$102,076
Median$111,079
P75$135,748
P90 (Top)$158,046

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hesperia ($120,443 effective) pays 15.42% more than Riverside ($104,356 effective).

Hesperia
Nominal: $136,221
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $120,443
Riverside
Nominal: $111,079
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $104,356

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hesperia if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,221/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($188,020)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $120,443)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (960 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Hesperia grew -7.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.2% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Hesperia, CA

+-7.2%

$139,825 (2024) → $129,821 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+23.2%

$85,950 (2019) → $105,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Hesperia or Riverside?

Hesperia has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $136,221/year, compared to Riverside at $111,079/year — a difference of $25,142 (22.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hesperia and Riverside?

Hesperia diagnostic medical sonographers earn $65.49/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $53.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hesperia to Riverside as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hesperia and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hesperia = $120,443, Riverside = $104,356), job availability (14 vs 960 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Hesperia vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $92,238 in Hesperia and $64,322 in Riverside. The Hesperia 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