Sonographer Pay

Raleigh vs Thomasville: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Raleigh, NC and Thomasville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raleigh, NC
$90,376
$43.45/hr
Thomasville, NC
$85,967
$41.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaleigh, NCThomasville, NC
Median Salary$90,376$85,967
Hourly Rate$43.45$41.33
Entry Level (P10)$76,494$60,532
25th Percentile$83,199$70,860
75th Percentile$102,496$91,606
Top Earner (P90)$114,772$115,603
Total Employed4304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raleigh ($90,376) and Thomasville ($85,967) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.RaleighThomasvilleMedian Salary$90,376$85,967Entry Level (P10)$76,494$60,532Top Earner (P90)$114,772$115,603US Median $101,352

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Thomasville.

The salary gap between Raleigh and Thomasville is $4,409 (5.13%). Raleigh's median is -10.83% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raleigh spans $38,278,Thomasville spans $55,071. Thomasville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$76,494
P25$83,199
Median$90,376
P75$102,496
P90 (Top)$114,772
Thomasville
P10 (Entry)$60,532
P25$70,860
Median$85,967
P75$91,606
P90 (Top)$115,603

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($92,073 effective) pays 0.25% more than Thomasville ($91,845 effective).

Raleigh
Nominal: $90,376
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $92,073
Thomasville
Nominal: $85,967
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $91,845

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,376/year)
  • Larger job market (430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,073)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Thomasville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($115,603)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Raleigh grew 26.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.4% growth in Thomasville over the same period.

Raleigh, NC

+26.9%

$67,850 (2019) → $86,130 (2025)

Thomasville, NC

+14.4%

$71,625 (2024) → $81,928 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Raleigh or Thomasville?

Raleigh has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $90,376/year, compared to Thomasville at $85,967/year — a difference of $4,409 (5.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raleigh and Thomasville?

Raleigh diagnostic medical sonographers earn $43.45/hr while Thomasville hygienists earn $41.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raleigh to Thomasville as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raleigh and Thomasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raleigh = $92,073, Thomasville = $91,845), job availability (430 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Raleigh vs Thomasville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $76,494 in Raleigh and $60,532 in Thomasville. The Raleigh 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