Sonographer Pay

Roseville vs San Francisco: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Roseville, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Roseville, CA
$170,562
$82.00/hr
San Francisco, CA
$168,171
$80.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoseville, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$170,562$168,171
Hourly Rate$82.00$80.85
Entry Level (P10)$123,435$99,264
25th Percentile$144,055$129,463
75th Percentile$186,920$190,123
Top Earner (P90)$235,757$214,204
Total Employed351,300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roseville ($170,562) and San Francisco ($168,171) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.RosevilleSan FranciscoMedian Salary$170,562$168,171Entry Level (P10)$123,435$99,264Top Earner (P90)$235,757$214,204US Median $101,352

Verdict

Roseville, CA offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Francisco.

The salary gap between Roseville and San Francisco is $2,391 (1.42%). Roseville's median is +68.29% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roseville spans $112,322,San Francisco spans $114,940. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Roseville
P10 (Entry)$123,435
P25$144,055
Median$170,562
P75$186,920
P90 (Top)$235,757
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$99,264
P25$129,463
Median$168,171
P75$190,123
P90 (Top)$214,204

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roseville ($150,806 effective) pays 3.68% more than San Francisco ($145,460 effective).

Roseville
Nominal: $170,562
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $150,806
San Francisco
Nominal: $168,171
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $145,460

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roseville if…

  • Higher median salary ($170,562/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($235,757)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $150,806)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Larger job market (1,300 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Roseville grew 15.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.6% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Roseville, CA

+15.2%

$141,063 (2024) → $162,548 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+39.6%

$114,790 (2019) → $160,270 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Roseville or San Francisco?

Roseville has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $170,562/year, compared to San Francisco at $168,171/year — a difference of $2,391 (1.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roseville and San Francisco?

Roseville diagnostic medical sonographers earn $82.00/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $80.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Roseville to San Francisco as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roseville and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roseville = $150,806, San Francisco = $145,460), job availability (35 vs 1,300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Roseville vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $123,435 in Roseville and $99,264 in San Francisco. The Roseville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AK

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