Sonographer Pay

Louisville vs Madisonville: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Louisville, KY
$98,675
$47.44/hr
Madisonville, KY
$86,224
$41.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville, KYMadisonville, KY
Median Salary$98,675$86,224
Hourly Rate$47.44$41.46
Entry Level (P10)$63,898$63,050
25th Percentile$77,935$72,403
75th Percentile$111,378$90,720
Top Earner (P90)$136,658$104,595
Total Employed1325
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville ($98,675) and Madisonville ($86,224) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.LouisvilleMadisonvilleMedian Salary$98,675$86,224Entry Level (P10)$63,898$63,050Top Earner (P90)$136,658$104,595US Median $101,352

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Madisonville.

The salary gap between Louisville and Madisonville is $12,451 (14.44%). Louisville's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville spans $72,760,Madisonville spans $41,545. Louisville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Louisville
P10 (Entry)$63,898
P25$77,935
Median$98,675
P75$111,378
P90 (Top)$136,658
Madisonville
P10 (Entry)$63,050
P25$72,403
Median$86,224
P75$90,720
P90 (Top)$104,595

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($110,498 effective) pays 14.44% more than Madisonville ($96,555 effective).

Louisville
Nominal: $98,675
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $110,498
Madisonville
Nominal: $86,224
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $96,555

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($98,675/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($136,658)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,498)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Madisonville 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 grew 34.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.2% growth in Madisonville over the same period.

Louisville, KY

+34.2%

$70,098 (2024) → $94,039 (2025)

Madisonville, KY

+34.2%

$61,253 (2024) → $82,173 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Louisville or Madisonville?

Louisville has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $98,675/year, compared to Madisonville at $86,224/year — a difference of $12,451 (14.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville and Madisonville?

Louisville diagnostic medical sonographers earn $47.44/hr while Madisonville hygienists earn $41.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville to Madisonville as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville and Madisonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville = $110,498, Madisonville = $96,555), job availability (132 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Louisville vs Madisonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $63,898 in Louisville and $63,050 in Madisonville. The Louisville 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