Sonographer Pay

Orlando vs Pensacola: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Orlando, FL and Pensacola, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Orlando, FL
$87,417
$42.02/hr
Pensacola, FL
$82,496
$39.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrlando, FLPensacola, FL
Median Salary$87,417$82,496
Hourly Rate$42.02$39.66
Entry Level (P10)$68,918$67,145
25th Percentile$82,066$78,666
75th Percentile$102,160$86,473
Top Earner (P90)$106,850$101,530
Total Employed930140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orlando ($87,417) and Pensacola ($82,496) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.OrlandoPensacolaMedian Salary$87,417$82,496Entry Level (P10)$68,918$67,145Top Earner (P90)$106,850$101,530US Median $101,352

Verdict

Orlando, FL offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pensacola.

The salary gap between Orlando and Pensacola is $4,921 (5.97%). Orlando's median is -13.75% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Orlando spans $37,932,Pensacola spans $34,385. Orlando has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Orlando
P10 (Entry)$68,918
P25$82,066
Median$87,417
P75$102,160
P90 (Top)$106,850
Pensacola
P10 (Entry)$67,145
P25$78,666
Median$82,496
P75$86,473
P90 (Top)$101,530

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($86,195 effective) pays 2.10% more than Pensacola ($84,423 effective).

Orlando
Nominal: $87,417
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $86,195
Pensacola
Nominal: $82,496
CoL Index: 97.717
Adjusted: $84,423

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Orlando if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,417/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,850)
  • Larger job market (930 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,195)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Pensacola if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Orlando grew 19.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 32.2% growth in Pensacola over the same period.

Orlando, FL

+19.1%

$69,950 (2019) → $83,310 (2025)

Pensacola, FL

+32.2%

$59,470 (2019) → $78,620 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Orlando or Pensacola?

Orlando has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $87,417/year, compared to Pensacola at $82,496/year — a difference of $4,921 (5.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orlando and Pensacola?

Orlando diagnostic medical sonographers earn $42.02/hr while Pensacola hygienists earn $39.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orlando to Pensacola as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orlando and Pensacola. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orlando = $86,195, Pensacola = $84,423), job availability (930 vs 140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Orlando vs Pensacola?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $68,918 in Orlando and $67,145 in Pensacola. The Orlando 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