Sonographer Pay

Madison vs Mount Pleasant: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Madison, WI and Mount Pleasant, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$106,987
$51.44/hr
Mount Pleasant, WI
$115,158
$55.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIMount Pleasant, WI
Median Salary$106,987$115,158
Hourly Rate$51.44$55.36
Entry Level (P10)$102,212$78,640
25th Percentile$105,140$100,107
75th Percentile$120,974$123,441
Top Earner (P90)$133,513$144,884
Total Employed2105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($106,987) and Mount Pleasant ($115,158) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.MadisonMount PleasantMedian Salary$106,987$115,158Entry Level (P10)$102,212$78,640Top Earner (P90)$133,513$144,884US Median $101,352

Verdict

Mount Pleasant, WI offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Madison.

The salary gap between Madison and Mount Pleasant is $8,171 (7.64%). Mount Pleasant's median is +13.62% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $31,301,Mount Pleasant spans $66,244. Mount Pleasant has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$102,212
P25$105,140
Median$106,987
P75$120,974
P90 (Top)$133,513
Mount Pleasant
P10 (Entry)$78,640
P25$100,107
Median$115,158
P75$123,441
P90 (Top)$144,884

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mount Pleasant ($123,296 effective) pays 12.12% more than Madison ($109,970 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $106,987
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $109,970
Mount Pleasant
Nominal: $115,158
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $123,296

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Mount Pleasant if…

  • Higher median salary ($115,158/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($144,884)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $123,296)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Madison grew 27.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 51.6% growth in Mount Pleasant over the same period.

Madison, WI

+27.2%

$80,170 (2019) → $101,960 (2025)

Mount Pleasant, WI

+51.6%

$72,371 (2024) → $109,747 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Madison or Mount Pleasant?

Mount Pleasant has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $115,158/year, compared to Madison at $106,987/year — a difference of $8,171 (7.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Mount Pleasant?

Madison diagnostic medical sonographers earn $51.44/hr while Mount Pleasant hygienists earn $55.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Mount Pleasant as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Mount Pleasant. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $109,970, Mount Pleasant = $123,296), job availability (210 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Madison vs Mount Pleasant?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $102,212 in Madison and $78,640 in Mount Pleasant. The Madison 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