Sonographer Pay

Oregon City vs Portland: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Oregon City, OR and Portland, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Oregon City, OR
$118,928
$57.18/hr
Portland, OR
$134,751
$64.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOregon City, ORPortland, OR
Median Salary$118,928$134,751
Hourly Rate$57.18$64.78
Entry Level (P10)$85,718$103,073
25th Percentile$99,374$111,320
75th Percentile$127,965$137,721
Top Earner (P90)$150,864$142,904
Total Employed6690
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oregon City ($118,928) and Portland ($134,751) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.Oregon CityPortlandMedian Salary$118,928$134,751Entry Level (P10)$85,718$103,073Top Earner (P90)$150,864$142,904US Median $101,352

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Oregon City.

The salary gap between Oregon City and Portland is $15,823 (13.30%). Portland's median is +32.95% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oregon City spans $65,146,Portland spans $39,831. Oregon City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Oregon City
P10 (Entry)$85,718
P25$99,374
Median$118,928
P75$127,965
P90 (Top)$150,864
Portland
P10 (Entry)$103,073
P25$111,320
Median$134,751
P75$137,721
P90 (Top)$142,904

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($127,822 effective) pays 10.27% more than Oregon City ($115,914 effective).

Oregon City
Nominal: $118,928
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $115,914
Portland
Nominal: $134,751
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $127,822

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Oregon City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($150,864)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($134,751/year)
  • Larger job market (690 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $127,822)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Oregon City grew 5.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.2% growth in Portland over the same period.

Oregon City, OR

+5.2%

$107,692 (2024) → $113,340 (2025)

Portland, OR

+36.2%

$94,270 (2019) → $128,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Oregon City or Portland?

Portland has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $134,751/year, compared to Oregon City at $118,928/year — a difference of $15,823 (13.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oregon City and Portland?

Oregon City diagnostic medical sonographers earn $57.18/hr while Portland hygienists earn $64.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Oregon City to Portland as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oregon City and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oregon City = $115,914, Portland = $127,822), job availability (6 vs 690 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Oregon City vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $85,718 in Oregon City and $103,073 in Portland. The Portland 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