Sonographer Pay

Huntsville vs Pelham: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Huntsville, AL
$71,457
$34.35/hr
Pelham, AL
$66,072
$31.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntsville, ALPelham, AL
Median Salary$71,457$66,072
Hourly Rate$34.35$31.76
Entry Level (P10)$54,889$50,599
25th Percentile$61,374$57,143
75th Percentile$83,818$71,080
Top Earner (P90)$96,703$82,674
Total Employed1504
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntsville ($71,457) and Pelham ($66,072) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.HuntsvillePelhamMedian Salary$71,457$66,072Entry Level (P10)$54,889$50,599Top Earner (P90)$96,703$82,674US Median $101,352

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Huntsville and Pelham is $5,385 (8.15%). 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 Huntsville spans $41,814,Pelham spans $32,075. Huntsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$54,889
P25$61,374
Median$71,457
P75$83,818
P90 (Top)$96,703
Pelham
P10 (Entry)$50,599
P25$57,143
Median$66,072
P75$71,080
P90 (Top)$82,674

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($76,776 effective) pays 2.14% more than Pelham ($75,167 effective).

Huntsville
Nominal: $71,457
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $76,776
Pelham
Nominal: $66,072
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $75,167

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,457/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,703)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,776)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Pelham if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Huntsville grew 10.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.9% growth in Pelham over the same period.

Huntsville, AL

+10.9%

$61,390 (2019) → $68,100 (2025)

Pelham, AL

+13.9%

$55,275 (2024) → $62,968 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Huntsville or Pelham?

Huntsville has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $71,457/year, compared to Pelham at $66,072/year — a difference of $5,385 (8.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntsville and Pelham?

Huntsville diagnostic medical sonographers earn $34.35/hr while Pelham hygienists earn $31.76/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntsville and Pelham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntsville = $76,776, Pelham = $75,167), job availability (150 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $54,889 in Huntsville and $50,599 in Pelham. The Huntsville 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