Sonographer Pay

Salem vs Wilsonville: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary (2026)

Compare diagnostic medical sonographer salaries between Salem, OR and Wilsonville, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Salem, OR
$133,975
$64.41/hr
Wilsonville, OR
$115,209
$55.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalem, ORWilsonville, OR
Median Salary$133,975$115,209
Hourly Rate$64.41$55.39
Entry Level (P10)$101,100$85,987
25th Percentile$108,078$96,244
75th Percentile$141,152$126,426
Top Earner (P90)$143,828$150,188
Total Employed1105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salem ($133,975) and Wilsonville ($115,209) diagnostic medical sonographer salaries.SalemWilsonvilleMedian Salary$133,975$115,209Entry Level (P10)$101,100$85,987Top Earner (P90)$143,828$150,188US Median $101,352

Verdict

Salem, OR offers better overall compensation for diagnostic medical sonographers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wilsonville.

The salary gap between Salem and Wilsonville is $18,766 (16.29%). Salem's median is +32.19% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Salem spans $42,728,Wilsonville spans $64,201. Wilsonville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.

Salem
P10 (Entry)$101,100
P25$108,078
Median$133,975
P75$141,152
P90 (Top)$143,828
Wilsonville
P10 (Entry)$85,987
P25$96,244
Median$115,209
P75$126,426
P90 (Top)$150,188

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salem ($129,258 effective) pays 15.11% more than Wilsonville ($112,289 effective).

Salem
Nominal: $133,975
CoL Index: 103.649
Adjusted: $129,258
Wilsonville
Nominal: $115,209
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $112,289

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Salem if…

  • Higher median salary ($133,975/year)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $129,258)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Wilsonville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($150,188)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, diagnostic medical sonographer salaries in Salem grew 47.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.2% growth in Wilsonville over the same period.

Salem, OR

+47.3%

$86,690 (2019) → $127,680 (2025)

Wilsonville, OR

+5.2%

$104,324 (2024) → $109,796 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays diagnostic medical sonographers more: Salem or Wilsonville?

Salem has a higher median diagnostic medical sonographer salary at $133,975/year, compared to Wilsonville at $115,209/year — a difference of $18,766 (16.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Salem and Wilsonville?

Salem diagnostic medical sonographers earn $64.41/hr while Wilsonville hygienists earn $55.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Salem to Wilsonville as a diagnostic medical sonographer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salem and Wilsonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salem = $129,258, Wilsonville = $112,289), job availability (110 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level diagnostic medical sonographers earn in Salem vs Wilsonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) diagnostic medical sonographers earn $101,100 in Salem and $85,987 in Wilsonville. The Salem 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