Sonographer Pay

La Habra vs Los Angeles: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between La Habra, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

La Habra, CA
$131,936
$63.43/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$125,318
$60.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLa Habra, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$131,936$125,318
Hourly Rate$63.43$60.25
Entry Level (P10)$93,069$59,999
25th Percentile$109,298$90,219
75th Percentile$147,801$149,861
Top Earner (P90)$178,137$176,660
Total Employed163,550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing La Habra ($131,936) and Los Angeles ($125,318) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.La HabraLos AngelesMedian Salary$131,936$125,318Entry Level (P10)$93,069$59,999Top Earner (P90)$178,137$176,660US Median $101,352

Verdict

La Habra, CA offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between La Habra and Los Angeles is $6,618 (5.28%). La Habra's median is +30.18% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in La Habra spans $85,068,Los Angeles spans $116,661. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

La Habra
P10 (Entry)$93,069
P25$109,298
Median$131,936
P75$147,801
P90 (Top)$178,137
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$59,999
P25$90,219
Median$125,318
P75$149,861
P90 (Top)$176,660

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, La Habra ($116,654 effective) pays 5.71% more than Los Angeles ($110,348 effective).

La Habra
Nominal: $131,936
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $116,654
Los Angeles
Nominal: $125,318
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $110,348

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose La Habra if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,936/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($178,137)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,654)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (3,550 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in La Habra grew -7.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.3% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

La Habra, CA

+-7.2%

$135,426 (2024) → $125,737 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+25.3%

$95,340 (2019) → $119,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: La Habra or Los Angeles?

La Habra has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $131,936/year, compared to Los Angeles at $125,318/year — a difference of $6,618 (5.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between La Habra and Los Angeles?

La Habra diagnostic medical sonographers earn $63.43/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $60.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from La Habra to Los Angeles as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing La Habra and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: La Habra = $116,654, Los Angeles = $110,348), job availability (16 vs 3,550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in La Habra vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $93,069 in La Habra and $59,999 in Los Angeles. The La Habra 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