Ultrasound Tech Pay

Buffalo vs Valley Stream: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare ultrasound technologist salaries between Buffalo, NY and Valley Stream, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Buffalo, NY
$102,107
$49.09/hr
Valley Stream, NY
$99,521
$47.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYValley Stream, NY
Median Salary$102,107$99,521
Hourly Rate$49.09$47.85
Entry Level (P10)$80,041$67,987
25th Percentile$87,742$86,767
75th Percentile$104,500$110,585
Top Earner (P90)$108,812$131,991
Total Employed36010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($102,107) and Valley Stream ($99,521) ultrasound technologist salaries.BuffaloValley StreamMedian Salary$102,107$99,521Entry Level (P10)$80,041$67,987Top Earner (P90)$108,812$131,991US Median $101,352

Verdict

Buffalo, NY offers better overall compensation for ultrasound technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Valley Stream.

The salary gap between Buffalo and Valley Stream is $2,586 (2.60%). Buffalo's median is +0.74% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Buffalo spans $28,771,Valley Stream spans $64,004. Valley Stream has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ultrasound technologists.

Buffalo
P10 (Entry)$80,041
P25$87,742
Median$102,107
P75$104,500
P90 (Top)$108,812
Valley Stream
P10 (Entry)$67,987
P25$86,767
Median$99,521
P75$110,585
P90 (Top)$131,991

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buffalo ($106,535 effective) pays 24.07% more than Valley Stream ($85,868 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $102,107
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $106,535
Valley Stream
Nominal: $99,521
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $85,868

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buffalo if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,107/year)
  • Larger job market (360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,535)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Valley Stream if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($131,991)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ultrasound technologist salaries in Buffalo grew 28.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -12.2% growth in Valley Stream over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+28.9%

$75,520 (2019) → $97,310 (2025)

Valley Stream, NY

+-12.2%

$107,991 (2024) → $94,845 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ultrasound technologists more: Buffalo or Valley Stream?

Buffalo has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $102,107/year, compared to Valley Stream at $99,521/year — a difference of $2,586 (2.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Valley Stream?

Buffalo ultrasound technologists earn $49.09/hr while Valley Stream hygienists earn $47.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buffalo to Valley Stream as a ultrasound technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Valley Stream. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $106,535, Valley Stream = $85,868), job availability (360 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ultrasound technologists earn in Buffalo vs Valley Stream?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $80,041 in Buffalo and $67,987 in Valley Stream. The Buffalo area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

RP

Written by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT

Career Analyst

Ravi has 10 years of experience as an ultrasound technologist. He specializes in abdominal and pelvic imaging. He works in a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, RDMS, RTData verified by James Kim, RDCS, 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 Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT, a licensed ultrasound technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov