Sonographer Pay

Joliet vs Peoria: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Joliet, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Joliet, IL
$100,861
$48.49/hr
Peoria, IL
$96,630
$46.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJoliet, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$100,861$96,630
Hourly Rate$48.49$46.46
Entry Level (P10)$71,171$81,646
25th Percentile$83,729$83,934
75th Percentile$112,862$105,591
Top Earner (P90)$137,191$119,054
Total Employed25170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Joliet ($100,861) and Peoria ($96,630) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.JolietPeoriaMedian Salary$100,861$96,630Entry Level (P10)$71,171$81,646Top Earner (P90)$137,191$119,054US Median $101,352

Verdict

Joliet, IL offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Peoria.

The salary gap between Joliet and Peoria is $4,231 (4.38%). Joliet's median is -0.48% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Joliet spans $66,020,Peoria spans $37,408. Joliet has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Joliet
P10 (Entry)$71,171
P25$83,729
Median$100,861
P75$112,862
P90 (Top)$137,191
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$81,646
P25$83,934
Median$96,630
P75$105,591
P90 (Top)$119,054

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($105,918 effective) pays 1.97% more than Joliet ($103,873 effective).

Joliet
Nominal: $100,861
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $103,873
Peoria
Nominal: $96,630
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $105,918

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Joliet if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,861/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,191)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,918)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Joliet grew 18.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.9% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Joliet, IL

+18.6%

$81,038 (2024) → $96,122 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+17.9%

$78,120 (2019) → $92,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Joliet or Peoria?

Joliet has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $100,861/year, compared to Peoria at $96,630/year — a difference of $4,231 (4.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Joliet and Peoria?

Joliet diagnostic medical sonographers earn $48.49/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $46.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Joliet to Peoria as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Joliet and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Joliet = $103,873, Peoria = $105,918), job availability (25 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Joliet vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $71,171 in Joliet and $81,646 in Peoria. The Peoria 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