Ultrasound Tech Pay

Charlotte vs Kernersville: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Charlotte, NC
$103,513
$49.77/hr
Kernersville, NC
$86,824
$41.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCKernersville, NC
Median Salary$103,513$86,824
Hourly Rate$49.77$41.74
Entry Level (P10)$81,919$62,670
25th Percentile$87,501$72,617
75th Percentile$107,543$95,359
Top Earner (P90)$113,272$113,320
Total Employed7306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($103,513) and Kernersville ($86,824) ultrasound technologist salaries.CharlotteKernersvilleMedian Salary$103,513$86,824Entry Level (P10)$81,919$62,670Top Earner (P90)$113,272$113,320US Median $101,352

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charlotte and Kernersville is $16,689 (19.22%). 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 Charlotte spans $31,353,Kernersville spans $50,650. Kernersville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ultrasound technologists.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$81,919
P25$87,501
Median$103,513
P75$107,543
P90 (Top)$113,272
Kernersville
P10 (Entry)$62,670
P25$72,617
Median$86,824
P75$95,359
P90 (Top)$113,320

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($106,333 effective) pays 14.63% more than Kernersville ($92,761 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $103,513
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $106,333
Kernersville
Nominal: $86,824
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $92,761

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Kernersville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($113,320)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ultrasound technologist salaries in Charlotte grew 36.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.4% growth in Kernersville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+36.8%

$72,100 (2019) → $98,650 (2025)

Kernersville, NC

+14.4%

$72,339 (2024) → $82,745 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ultrasound technologists more: Charlotte or Kernersville?

Charlotte has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $103,513/year, compared to Kernersville at $86,824/year — a difference of $16,689 (19.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Kernersville?

Charlotte ultrasound technologists earn $49.77/hr while Kernersville hygienists earn $41.74/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Kernersville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $106,333, Kernersville = $92,761), job availability (730 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $81,919 in Charlotte and $62,670 in Kernersville. 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