Sonographer Pay

Orlando vs St. Cloud: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

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

Orlando, FL
$87,417
$42.02/hr
St. Cloud, FL
$84,092
$40.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrlando, FLSt. Cloud, FL
Median Salary$87,417$84,092
Hourly Rate$42.02$40.43
Entry Level (P10)$68,918$60,922
25th Percentile$82,066$70,867
75th Percentile$102,160$93,599
Top Earner (P90)$106,850$112,529
Total Employed93011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orlando ($87,417) and St. Cloud ($84,092) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.OrlandoSt. CloudMedian Salary$87,417$84,092Entry Level (P10)$68,918$60,922Top Earner (P90)$106,850$112,529US Median $101,352

Verdict

Orlando, FL offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Cloud.

The salary gap between Orlando and St. Cloud is $3,325 (3.95%). 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,St. Cloud spans $51,607. St. Cloud has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Orlando
P10 (Entry)$68,918
P25$82,066
Median$87,417
P75$102,160
P90 (Top)$106,850
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$60,922
P25$70,867
Median$84,092
P75$93,599
P90 (Top)$112,529

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($86,195 effective) pays 3.32% more than St. Cloud ($83,425 effective).

Orlando
Nominal: $87,417
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $86,195
St. Cloud
Nominal: $84,092
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $83,425

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)
  • Larger job market (930 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,195)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,529)
  • 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 9.9% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Orlando, FL

+19.1%

$69,950 (2019) → $83,310 (2025)

St. Cloud, FL

+9.9%

$72,910 (2024) → $80,141 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Orlando or St. Cloud?

Orlando has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $87,417/year, compared to St. Cloud at $84,092/year — a difference of $3,325 (3.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orlando and St. Cloud?

Orlando diagnostic medical sonographers earn $42.02/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $40.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orlando to St. Cloud as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orlando and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orlando = $86,195, St. Cloud = $83,425), job availability (930 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Orlando vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $68,918 in Orlando and $60,922 in St. Cloud. 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