Sonographer Pay

Houston vs Tomball: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Houston, TX and Tomball, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$99,788
$47.97/hr
Tomball, TX
$79,488
$38.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXTomball, TX
Median Salary$99,788$79,488
Hourly Rate$47.97$38.22
Entry Level (P10)$74,868$59,769
25th Percentile$86,158$67,942
75th Percentile$105,570$84,639
Top Earner (P90)$111,740$98,432
Total Employed1,6705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($99,788) and Tomball ($79,488) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.HoustonTomballMedian Salary$99,788$79,488Entry Level (P10)$74,868$59,769Top Earner (P90)$111,740$98,432US Median $101,352

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Tomball.

The salary gap between Houston and Tomball is $20,300 (25.54%). Houston's median is -1.54% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $36,872,Tomball spans $38,663. Tomball has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$74,868
P25$86,158
Median$99,788
P75$105,570
P90 (Top)$111,740
Tomball
P10 (Entry)$59,769
P25$67,942
Median$79,488
P75$84,639
P90 (Top)$98,432

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($101,175 effective) pays 22.19% more than Tomball ($82,800 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $99,788
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $101,175
Tomball
Nominal: $79,488
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $82,800

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,788/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($111,740)
  • Larger job market (1,670 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,175)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Tomball if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Houston grew 31.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.9% growth in Tomball over the same period.

Houston, TX

+31.3%

$72,440 (2019) → $95,100 (2025)

Tomball, TX

+4.9%

$72,194 (2024) → $75,753 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Houston or Tomball?

Houston has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $99,788/year, compared to Tomball at $79,488/year — a difference of $20,300 (25.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Tomball?

Houston diagnostic medical sonographers earn $47.97/hr while Tomball hygienists earn $38.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Tomball as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Tomball. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $101,175, Tomball = $82,800), job availability (1,670 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Houston vs Tomball?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $74,868 in Houston and $59,769 in Tomball. The Houston 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