Ultrasound Tech Pay

Burlington vs Charlotte: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare ultrasound technologist salaries between Burlington, NC and Charlotte, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burlington, NC
$85,852
$41.28/hr
Charlotte, NC
$103,513
$49.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, NCCharlotte, NC
Median Salary$85,852$103,513
Hourly Rate$41.28$49.77
Entry Level (P10)$62,253$81,919
25th Percentile$72,588$87,501
75th Percentile$97,609$107,543
Top Earner (P90)$118,634$113,272
Total Employed14730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($85,852) and Charlotte ($103,513) ultrasound technologist salaries.BurlingtonCharlotteMedian Salary$85,852$103,513Entry Level (P10)$62,253$81,919Top Earner (P90)$118,634$113,272US Median $101,352

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for ultrasound technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Burlington.

The salary gap between Burlington and Charlotte is $17,661 (20.57%). Charlotte's median is +2.13% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $56,381,Charlotte spans $31,353. Burlington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$62,253
P25$72,588
Median$85,852
P75$97,609
P90 (Top)$118,634
Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$81,919
P25$87,501
Median$103,513
P75$107,543
P90 (Top)$113,272

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($106,333 effective) pays 15.93% more than Burlington ($91,722 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $85,852
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $91,722
Charlotte
Nominal: $103,513
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $106,333

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($118,634)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,513/year)
  • Larger job market (730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,333)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ultrasound technologist salaries in Burlington grew -6.0% from 2022 to 2025, compared to 36.8% growth in Charlotte over the same period.

Burlington, NC

+-6.0%

$87,010 (2022) → $81,818 (2025)

Charlotte, NC

+36.8%

$72,100 (2019) → $98,650 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ultrasound technologists more: Burlington or Charlotte?

Charlotte has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $103,513/year, compared to Burlington at $85,852/year — a difference of $17,661 (20.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Charlotte?

Burlington ultrasound technologists earn $41.28/hr while Charlotte hygienists earn $49.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Charlotte as a ultrasound technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Charlotte. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $91,722, Charlotte = $106,333), job availability (14 vs 730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ultrasound technologists earn in Burlington vs Charlotte?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $62,253 in Burlington and $81,919 in Charlotte. The Charlotte 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