Sonographer Pay

Memphis vs Murfreesboro: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Memphis, TN and Murfreesboro, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Memphis, TN
$87,018
$41.84/hr
Murfreesboro, TN
$92,464
$44.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMemphis, TNMurfreesboro, TN
Median Salary$87,018$92,464
Hourly Rate$41.84$44.46
Entry Level (P10)$69,558$65,037
25th Percentile$77,764$76,601
75th Percentile$96,420$105,349
Top Earner (P90)$105,853$125,498
Total Employed39029
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Memphis ($87,018) and Murfreesboro ($92,464) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.MemphisMurfreesboroMedian Salary$87,018$92,464Entry Level (P10)$69,558$65,037Top Earner (P90)$105,853$125,498US Median $101,352

Verdict

Murfreesboro, TN offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Memphis.

The salary gap between Memphis and Murfreesboro is $5,446 (6.26%). Murfreesboro's median is -8.77% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Memphis spans $36,295,Murfreesboro spans $60,461. Murfreesboro has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Memphis
P10 (Entry)$69,558
P25$77,764
Median$87,018
P75$96,420
P90 (Top)$105,853
Murfreesboro
P10 (Entry)$65,037
P25$76,601
Median$92,464
P75$105,349
P90 (Top)$125,498

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Murfreesboro ($100,723 effective) pays 6.70% more than Memphis ($94,401 effective).

Memphis
Nominal: $87,018
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $94,401
Murfreesboro
Nominal: $92,464
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $100,723

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Memphis if…

  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Murfreesboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($92,464/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,498)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,723)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Memphis grew 17.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 34.4% growth in Murfreesboro over the same period.

Memphis, TN

+17.0%

$70,900 (2019) → $82,930 (2025)

Murfreesboro, TN

+34.4%

$65,574 (2024) → $88,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Memphis or Murfreesboro?

Murfreesboro has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $92,464/year, compared to Memphis at $87,018/year — a difference of $5,446 (6.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Memphis and Murfreesboro?

Memphis diagnostic medical sonographers earn $41.84/hr while Murfreesboro hygienists earn $44.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Memphis to Murfreesboro as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Memphis and Murfreesboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Memphis = $94,401, Murfreesboro = $100,723), job availability (390 vs 29 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Memphis vs Murfreesboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $69,558 in Memphis and $65,037 in Murfreesboro. The Memphis 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