Sonographer Pay

Honolulu vs Pearl City: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Honolulu, HI and Pearl City, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Honolulu, HI
$128,660
$61.86/hr
Pearl City, HI
$117,356
$56.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHonolulu, HIPearl City, HI
Median Salary$128,660$117,356
Hourly Rate$61.86$56.42
Entry Level (P10)$84,208$80,172
25th Percentile$102,208$99,708
75th Percentile$145,741$130,402
Top Earner (P90)$174,660$155,646
Total Employed688
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Honolulu ($128,660) and Pearl City ($117,356) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.HonoluluPearl CityMedian Salary$128,660$117,356Entry Level (P10)$84,208$80,172Top Earner (P90)$174,660$155,646US Median $101,352

Verdict

Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pearl City.

The salary gap between Honolulu and Pearl City is $11,304 (9.63%). Honolulu's median is +26.94% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Honolulu spans $90,452,Pearl City spans $75,474. Honolulu has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$84,208
P25$102,208
Median$128,660
P75$145,741
P90 (Top)$174,660
Pearl City
P10 (Entry)$80,172
P25$99,708
Median$117,356
P75$130,402
P90 (Top)$155,646

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Honolulu ($107,846 effective) pays 9.63% more than Pearl City ($98,370 effective).

Honolulu
Nominal: $128,660
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $107,846
Pearl City
Nominal: $117,356
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $98,370

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,660/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($174,660)
  • Larger job market (68 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,846)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Pearl City if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Honolulu grew -7.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -7.1% growth in Pearl City over the same period.

Honolulu, HI

+-7.1%

$132,021 (2024) → $122,615 (2025)

Pearl City, HI

+-7.1%

$120,422 (2024) → $111,842 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Honolulu or Pearl City?

Honolulu has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $128,660/year, compared to Pearl City at $117,356/year — a difference of $11,304 (9.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Honolulu and Pearl City?

Honolulu diagnostic medical sonographers earn $61.86/hr while Pearl City hygienists earn $56.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Honolulu to Pearl City as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Honolulu and Pearl City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Honolulu = $107,846, Pearl City = $98,370), job availability (68 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Honolulu vs Pearl City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $84,208 in Honolulu and $80,172 in Pearl City. The Honolulu 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