Sonographer Pay

Knoxville vs La Vergne: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Knoxville, TN and La Vergne, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$83,272
$40.03/hr
La Vergne, TN
$79,531
$38.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNLa Vergne, TN
Median Salary$83,272$79,531
Hourly Rate$40.03$38.24
Entry Level (P10)$49,118$59,127
25th Percentile$68,551$67,788
75th Percentile$90,964$86,867
Top Earner (P90)$102,443$103,011
Total Employed2808
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($83,272) and La Vergne ($79,531) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.KnoxvilleLa VergneMedian Salary$83,272$79,531Entry Level (P10)$49,118$59,127Top Earner (P90)$102,443$103,011US Median $101,352

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to La Vergne.

The salary gap between Knoxville and La Vergne is $3,741 (4.70%). Knoxville's median is -17.84% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $53,325,La Vergne spans $43,884. Knoxville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$49,118
P25$68,551
Median$83,272
P75$90,964
P90 (Top)$102,443
La Vergne
P10 (Entry)$59,127
P25$67,788
Median$79,531
P75$86,867
P90 (Top)$103,011

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($89,957 effective) pays 3.83% more than La Vergne ($86,635 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $83,272
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $89,957
La Vergne
Nominal: $79,531
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $86,635

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,272/year)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $89,957)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose La Vergne if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($103,011)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Knoxville grew 34.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.1% growth in La Vergne over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+34.9%

$58,830 (2019) → $79,360 (2025)

La Vergne, TN

+20.1%

$63,126 (2024) → $75,794 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Knoxville or La Vergne?

Knoxville has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $83,272/year, compared to La Vergne at $79,531/year — a difference of $3,741 (4.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and La Vergne?

Knoxville diagnostic medical sonographers earn $40.03/hr while La Vergne hygienists earn $38.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to La Vergne as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and La Vergne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $89,957, La Vergne = $86,635), job availability (280 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Knoxville vs La Vergne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $49,118 in Knoxville and $59,127 in La Vergne. The La Vergne 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