Ultrasound Tech Pay

Kirkwood vs St. Louis: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare ultrasound technologist salaries between Kirkwood, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kirkwood, MO
$92,140
$44.30/hr
St. Louis, MO
$103,870
$49.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKirkwood, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$92,140$103,870
Hourly Rate$44.30$49.94
Entry Level (P10)$66,654$83,230
25th Percentile$77,170$85,308
75th Percentile$101,303$108,655
Top Earner (P90)$120,430$112,621
Total Employed5730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kirkwood ($92,140) and St. Louis ($103,870) ultrasound technologist salaries.KirkwoodSt. LouisMedian Salary$92,140$103,870Entry Level (P10)$66,654$83,230Top Earner (P90)$120,430$112,621US Median $101,352

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for ultrasound technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kirkwood.

The salary gap between Kirkwood and St. Louis is $11,730 (12.73%). St. Louis's median is +2.48% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kirkwood spans $53,776,St. Louis spans $29,391. Kirkwood has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kirkwood
P10 (Entry)$66,654
P25$77,170
Median$92,140
P75$101,303
P90 (Top)$120,430
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$83,230
P25$85,308
Median$103,870
P75$108,655
P90 (Top)$112,621

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($109,236 effective) pays 6.22% more than Kirkwood ($102,835 effective).

Kirkwood
Nominal: $92,140
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $102,835
St. Louis
Nominal: $103,870
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $109,236

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kirkwood if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($120,430)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,870/year)
  • Larger job market (730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,236)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ultrasound technologist salaries in Kirkwood grew 33.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.5% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Kirkwood, MO

+33.5%

$65,758 (2024) → $87,811 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+41.5%

$69,960 (2019) → $98,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ultrasound technologists more: Kirkwood or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $103,870/year, compared to Kirkwood at $92,140/year — a difference of $11,730 (12.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kirkwood and St. Louis?

Kirkwood ultrasound technologists earn $44.30/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $49.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kirkwood to St. Louis as a ultrasound technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kirkwood and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kirkwood = $102,835, St. Louis = $109,236), job availability (5 vs 730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ultrasound technologists earn in Kirkwood vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $66,654 in Kirkwood and $83,230 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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