Sonographer Pay

Rochester vs Spring Valley: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Rochester, NY and Spring Valley, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rochester, NY
$86,116
$41.41/hr
Spring Valley, NY
$99,935
$48.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRochester, NYSpring Valley, NY
Median Salary$86,116$99,935
Hourly Rate$41.41$48.05
Entry Level (P10)$79,254$69,379
25th Percentile$82,097$81,546
75th Percentile$101,803$111,536
Top Earner (P90)$107,847$133,348
Total Employed4006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rochester ($86,116) and Spring Valley ($99,935) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.RochesterSpring ValleyMedian Salary$86,116$99,935Entry Level (P10)$79,254$69,379Top Earner (P90)$107,847$133,348US Median $101,352

Verdict

Spring Valley, NY offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rochester.

The salary gap between Rochester and Spring Valley is $13,819 (16.05%). Spring Valley's median is -1.40% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rochester spans $28,593,Spring Valley spans $63,969. Spring Valley has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Rochester
P10 (Entry)$79,254
P25$82,097
Median$86,116
P75$101,803
P90 (Top)$107,847
Spring Valley
P10 (Entry)$69,379
P25$81,546
Median$99,935
P75$111,536
P90 (Top)$133,348

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($88,747 effective) pays 2.93% more than Spring Valley ($86,225 effective).

Rochester
Nominal: $86,116
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $88,747
Spring Valley
Nominal: $99,935
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $86,225

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rochester if…

  • Larger job market (400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,747)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Spring Valley if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,935/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,348)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Rochester grew 13.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -12.2% growth in Spring Valley over the same period.

Rochester, NY

+13.4%

$72,370 (2019) → $82,070 (2025)

Spring Valley, NY

+-12.2%

$108,440 (2024) → $95,240 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Rochester or Spring Valley?

Spring Valley has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $99,935/year, compared to Rochester at $86,116/year — a difference of $13,819 (16.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rochester and Spring Valley?

Rochester diagnostic medical sonographers earn $41.41/hr while Spring Valley hygienists earn $48.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rochester to Spring Valley as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rochester and Spring Valley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rochester = $88,747, Spring Valley = $86,225), job availability (400 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Rochester vs Spring Valley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $79,254 in Rochester and $69,379 in Spring Valley. The Rochester 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