Sonographer Pay

Louisville/Jefferson County vs Radcliff: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Louisville/Jefferson County, KY and Radcliff, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$102,517
$49.29/hr
Radcliff, KY
$86,850
$41.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville/Jefferson County, KYRadcliff, KY
Median Salary$102,517$86,850
Hourly Rate$49.29$41.75
Entry Level (P10)$75,056$64,595
25th Percentile$89,988$73,719
75th Percentile$110,701$93,966
Top Earner (P90)$129,232$109,534
Total Employed3704
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville/Jefferson County ($102,517) and Radcliff ($86,850) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.Louisville/Jefferson CountyRadcliffMedian Salary$102,517$86,850Entry Level (P10)$75,056$64,595Top Earner (P90)$129,232$109,534US Median $101,352

Verdict

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Radcliff.

The salary gap between Louisville/Jefferson County and Radcliff is $15,667 (18.04%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is +1.15% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville/Jefferson County spans $54,176,Radcliff spans $44,939. Louisville/Jefferson County has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Louisville/Jefferson County
P10 (Entry)$75,056
P25$89,988
Median$102,517
P75$110,701
P90 (Top)$129,232
Radcliff
P10 (Entry)$64,595
P25$73,719
Median$86,850
P75$93,966
P90 (Top)$109,534

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($110,146 effective) pays 13.25% more than Radcliff ($97,256 effective).

Louisville/Jefferson County
Nominal: $102,517
CoL Index: 93.074
Adjusted: $110,146
Radcliff
Nominal: $86,850
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $97,256

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,517/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($129,232)
  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,146)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Radcliff if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 53.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 34.2% growth in Radcliff over the same period.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

+53.7%

$63,550 (2019) → $97,700 (2025)

Radcliff, KY

+34.2%

$61,698 (2024) → $82,769 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Louisville/Jefferson County or Radcliff?

Louisville/Jefferson County has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $102,517/year, compared to Radcliff at $86,850/year — a difference of $15,667 (18.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville/Jefferson County and Radcliff?

Louisville/Jefferson County diagnostic medical sonographers earn $49.29/hr while Radcliff hygienists earn $41.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville/Jefferson County to Radcliff as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville/Jefferson County and Radcliff. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville/Jefferson County = $110,146, Radcliff = $97,256), job availability (370 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Louisville/Jefferson County vs Radcliff?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $75,056 in Louisville/Jefferson County and $64,595 in Radcliff. The Louisville/Jefferson County 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