Ultrasound Tech Pay

Roanoke vs Suffolk: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare ultrasound technologist salaries between Roanoke, VA and Suffolk, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Roanoke, VA
$87,239
$41.94/hr
Suffolk, VA
$90,444
$43.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoanoke, VASuffolk, VA
Median Salary$87,239$90,444
Hourly Rate$41.94$43.48
Entry Level (P10)$79,138$66,463
25th Percentile$85,340$76,854
75th Percentile$104,636$97,926
Top Earner (P90)$104,636$125,386
Total Employed11015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roanoke ($87,239) and Suffolk ($90,444) ultrasound technologist salaries.RoanokeSuffolkMedian Salary$87,239$90,444Entry Level (P10)$79,138$66,463Top Earner (P90)$104,636$125,386US Median $101,352

Verdict

Suffolk, VA offers better overall compensation for ultrasound technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Roanoke.

The salary gap between Roanoke and Suffolk is $3,205 (3.67%). Suffolk's median is -10.76% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roanoke spans $25,498,Suffolk spans $58,923. Suffolk has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ultrasound technologists.

Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$79,138
P25$85,340
Median$87,239
P75$104,636
P90 (Top)$104,636
Suffolk
P10 (Entry)$66,463
P25$76,854
Median$90,444
P75$97,926
P90 (Top)$125,386

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($93,186 effective) pays 6.33% more than Suffolk ($87,640 effective).

Roanoke
Nominal: $87,239
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $93,186
Suffolk
Nominal: $90,444
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $87,640

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,186)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Suffolk if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,444/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,386)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ultrasound technologist salaries in Roanoke grew 17.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.6% growth in Suffolk over the same period.

Roanoke, VA

+17.2%

$70,910 (2019) → $83,140 (2025)

Suffolk, VA

+3.6%

$83,205 (2024) → $86,195 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ultrasound technologists more: Roanoke or Suffolk?

Suffolk has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $90,444/year, compared to Roanoke at $87,239/year — a difference of $3,205 (3.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roanoke and Suffolk?

Roanoke ultrasound technologists earn $41.94/hr while Suffolk hygienists earn $43.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Roanoke to Suffolk as a ultrasound technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roanoke and Suffolk. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roanoke = $93,186, Suffolk = $87,640), job availability (110 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ultrasound technologists earn in Roanoke vs Suffolk?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $79,138 in Roanoke and $66,463 in Suffolk. The Roanoke 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