Sonographer Pay

Peoria vs St. Charles: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Peoria, IL and St. Charles, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Peoria, IL
$96,630
$46.46/hr
St. Charles, IL
$100,064
$48.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPeoria, ILSt. Charles, IL
Median Salary$96,630$100,064
Hourly Rate$46.46$48.11
Entry Level (P10)$81,646$71,357
25th Percentile$83,934$83,046
75th Percentile$105,591$107,271
Top Earner (P90)$119,054$125,787
Total Employed1707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Peoria ($96,630) and St. Charles ($100,064) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.PeoriaSt. CharlesMedian Salary$96,630$100,064Entry Level (P10)$81,646$71,357Top Earner (P90)$119,054$125,787US Median $101,352

Verdict

St. Charles, IL offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Peoria.

The salary gap between Peoria and St. Charles is $3,434 (3.55%). St. Charles's median is -1.27% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Peoria spans $37,408,St. Charles spans $54,430. St. Charles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Peoria
P10 (Entry)$81,646
P25$83,934
Median$96,630
P75$105,591
P90 (Top)$119,054
St. Charles
P10 (Entry)$71,357
P25$83,046
Median$100,064
P75$107,271
P90 (Top)$125,787

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($105,918 effective) pays 2.78% more than St. Charles ($103,053 effective).

Peoria
Nominal: $96,630
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $105,918
St. Charles
Nominal: $100,064
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $103,053

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Peoria if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,918)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose St. Charles if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,064/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,787)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Peoria grew 17.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.6% growth in St. Charles over the same period.

Peoria, IL

+17.9%

$78,120 (2019) → $92,090 (2025)

St. Charles, IL

+18.6%

$80,399 (2024) → $95,363 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Peoria or St. Charles?

St. Charles has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $100,064/year, compared to Peoria at $96,630/year — a difference of $3,434 (3.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Peoria and St. Charles?

Peoria diagnostic medical sonographers earn $46.46/hr while St. Charles hygienists earn $48.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Peoria to St. Charles as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Peoria and St. Charles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Peoria = $105,918, St. Charles = $103,053), job availability (170 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Peoria vs St. Charles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $81,646 in Peoria and $71,357 in St. Charles. The Peoria 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