Ultrasound Tech Pay

Kingsport vs Knoxville: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare ultrasound technologist salaries between Kingsport, TN and Knoxville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kingsport, TN
$79,159
$38.06/hr
Knoxville, TN
$83,272
$40.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKingsport, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$79,159$83,272
Hourly Rate$38.06$40.03
Entry Level (P10)$56,578$49,118
25th Percentile$67,480$68,551
75th Percentile$87,218$90,964
Top Earner (P90)$101,677$102,443
Total Employed110280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kingsport ($79,159) and Knoxville ($83,272) ultrasound technologist salaries.KingsportKnoxvilleMedian Salary$79,159$83,272Entry Level (P10)$56,578$49,118Top Earner (P90)$101,677$102,443US Median $101,352

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for ultrasound technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kingsport.

The salary gap between Kingsport and Knoxville is $4,113 (5.20%). Knoxville's median is -17.84% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kingsport spans $45,099,Knoxville spans $53,325. Knoxville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ultrasound technologists.

Kingsport
P10 (Entry)$56,578
P25$67,480
Median$79,159
P75$87,218
P90 (Top)$101,677
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$49,118
P25$68,551
Median$83,272
P75$90,964
P90 (Top)$102,443

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kingsport ($91,569 effective) pays 1.79% more than Knoxville ($89,957 effective).

Kingsport
Nominal: $79,159
CoL Index: 86.447
Adjusted: $91,569
Knoxville
Nominal: $83,272
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $89,957

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kingsport if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,569)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,272/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,443)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ultrasound technologist salaries in Kingsport grew 26.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 34.9% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Kingsport, TN

+26.3%

$59,740 (2019) → $75,440 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+34.9%

$58,830 (2019) → $79,360 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ultrasound technologists more: Kingsport or Knoxville?

Knoxville has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $83,272/year, compared to Kingsport at $79,159/year — a difference of $4,113 (5.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kingsport and Knoxville?

Kingsport ultrasound technologists earn $38.06/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $40.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kingsport to Knoxville as a ultrasound technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kingsport and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kingsport = $91,569, Knoxville = $89,957), job availability (110 vs 280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ultrasound technologists earn in Kingsport vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $56,578 in Kingsport and $49,118 in Knoxville. The Kingsport 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