Sonographer Pay

Kaneohe vs Urban Honolulu: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Kaneohe, HI
$120,152
$57.76/hr
Urban Honolulu, HI
$129,137
$62.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKaneohe, HIUrban Honolulu, HI
Median Salary$120,152$129,137
Hourly Rate$57.76$62.09
Entry Level (P10)$87,314$85,329
25th Percentile$100,924$118,539
75th Percentile$129,794$136,042
Top Earner (P90)$153,257$142,348
Total Employed5160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kaneohe ($120,152) and Urban Honolulu ($129,137) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.KaneoheUrban HonoluluMedian Salary$120,152$129,137Entry Level (P10)$87,314$85,329Top Earner (P90)$153,257$142,348US Median $101,352

Verdict

Urban Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kaneohe.

The salary gap between Kaneohe and Urban Honolulu is $8,985 (7.48%). Urban Honolulu's median is +27.41% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kaneohe spans $65,943,Urban Honolulu spans $57,019. Kaneohe has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kaneohe
P10 (Entry)$87,314
P25$100,924
Median$120,152
P75$129,794
P90 (Top)$153,257
Urban Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$85,329
P25$118,539
Median$129,137
P75$136,042
P90 (Top)$142,348

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Urban Honolulu ($116,381 effective) pays 15.56% more than Kaneohe ($100,714 effective).

Kaneohe
Nominal: $120,152
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $100,714
Urban Honolulu
Nominal: $129,137
CoL Index: 110.961
Adjusted: $116,381

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kaneohe if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($153,257)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Urban Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,137/year)
  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,381)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Kaneohe grew -7.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.3% growth in Urban Honolulu over the same period.

Kaneohe, HI

+-7.1%

$123,291 (2024) → $114,507 (2025)

Urban Honolulu, HI

+16.3%

$105,840 (2019) → $123,070 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Kaneohe or Urban Honolulu?

Urban Honolulu has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $129,137/year, compared to Kaneohe at $120,152/year — a difference of $8,985 (7.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kaneohe and Urban Honolulu?

Kaneohe diagnostic medical sonographers earn $57.76/hr while Urban Honolulu hygienists earn $62.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kaneohe to Urban Honolulu as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kaneohe and Urban Honolulu. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kaneohe = $100,714, Urban Honolulu = $116,381), job availability (5 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Kaneohe vs Urban Honolulu?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $87,314 in Kaneohe and $85,329 in Urban Honolulu. The Kaneohe 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