State comparison · 2025
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salary: California vs South Dakota
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in California earn a median of $128,530. In South Dakota, $80,820. After cost-of-living, the gap is 27.3% — not 59%.
Nominal pay gap
+59%
California vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+27.3%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
- Median
- $128,530
- p25
- $99,510
- p75
- $160,580
- p10
- $62,890
- p90
- $177,780
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
South Dakota
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
- Median
- $80,820
- p25
- $66,060
- p75
- $89,150
- p10
- $51,100
- p90
- $98,090
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.