Sonographer Pay

Lincoln vs Omaha: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Lincoln, NE and Omaha, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lincoln, NE
$85,518
$41.11/hr
Omaha, NE
$87,008
$41.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLincoln, NEOmaha, NE
Median Salary$85,518$87,008
Hourly Rate$41.11$41.84
Entry Level (P10)$65,907$72,475
25th Percentile$80,859$84,185
75th Percentile$95,161$105,518
Top Earner (P90)$107,417$109,620
Total Employed100530
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lincoln ($85,518) and Omaha ($87,008) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.LincolnOmahaMedian Salary$85,518$87,008Entry Level (P10)$65,907$72,475Top Earner (P90)$107,417$109,620US Median $101,352

Verdict

Omaha, NE offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lincoln.

The salary gap between Lincoln and Omaha is $1,490 (1.74%). Omaha's median is -14.15% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lincoln spans $41,510,Omaha spans $37,145. Lincoln has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lincoln
P10 (Entry)$65,907
P25$80,859
Median$85,518
P75$95,161
P90 (Top)$107,417
Omaha
P10 (Entry)$72,475
P25$84,185
Median$87,008
P75$105,518
P90 (Top)$109,620

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Omaha ($94,665 effective) pays 1.38% more than Lincoln ($93,380 effective).

Lincoln
Nominal: $85,518
CoL Index: 91.581
Adjusted: $93,380
Omaha
Nominal: $87,008
CoL Index: 91.911
Adjusted: $94,665

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lincoln if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Omaha if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,008/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($109,620)
  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,665)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Lincoln grew 30.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.6% growth in Omaha over the same period.

Lincoln, NE

+30.4%

$62,480 (2019) → $81,500 (2025)

Omaha, NE

+28.6%

$64,460 (2019) → $82,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Lincoln or Omaha?

Omaha has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $87,008/year, compared to Lincoln at $85,518/year — a difference of $1,490 (1.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lincoln and Omaha?

Lincoln diagnostic medical sonographers earn $41.11/hr while Omaha hygienists earn $41.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lincoln to Omaha as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lincoln and Omaha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lincoln = $93,380, Omaha = $94,665), job availability (100 vs 530 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Lincoln vs Omaha?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $65,907 in Lincoln and $72,475 in Omaha. The Omaha area offers higher starting salaries.
AK

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