Ultrasound Technologist Salary in Cornelius, NC: $86,471 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ultrasound technologist in Cornelius, NC earns a median $86,471/year (≈ $41.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Cornelius's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $92,384 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cornelius, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for an ultrasound technologist in 2026 is $86,471, which falls below the national median of $101,352. Locally, salaries range from $65,987 at the 10th percentile to $109,101 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization among professionals in the field. This market is relatively small, with only seven ultrasound technologists employed in the area, indicating a specialized job market that may offer fewer opportunities yet could provide a more personalized work environment. The compensation figures presented are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, adjusted to account for regional price parities, allowing for a clearer perspective on the salary landscape in Cornelius.
About the Cornelius Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,987 | $31.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,229 | $36.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,471 | $41.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,683 | $44.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,101 | $52.45 |
Median Salary Position
14.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cornelius
In Cornelius, NC, the ultrasound technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,114 (2026 est.). At $86,471, the local median is 14.68% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cornelius: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cornelius Ultrasound Technologist Pay Compares
Cornelius median: $86,471/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cornelius Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $87,610 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -14.68% less |
Ultrasound Technologists in Cornelius, NC earn a median of $86,471 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.68% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.30% below the North Carolina state average of $87,610.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cornelius has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cornelius, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A ultrasound technologist earning $86,471 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,384 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$63,408
2025 BLS Actual
$82,408
2026 Current Est.
$86,471
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in Cornelius (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,408 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,773 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,326 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,406 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,068 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,044 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,471 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,734 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cornelius metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 30.0% from $63,408 (2019) to $82,408 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,734 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,326 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cornelius metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.93% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $65,987 – $75,229 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,229 – $86,471 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,471 – $92,683 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,683 – $109,101 |
Ultrasound Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ultrasound technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Ultrasound Technologist Job Market in Cornelius
The cost of living index in Cornelius stands at 93.6, which is below the national average, suggesting that residents may experience an enhanced purchasing power relative to their income. In this area, major employers include large healthcare organizations and private practices, where the higher salaries tend to be found. Factors that influence the pay gap between the lower and higher ends of the salary spectrum often include shift differentials, advanced specialty certifications, and the size and benefits packages offered by employers. For ultrasound technologists aiming to maximize their earnings in Cornelius, pursuing additional certifications and skill development can prove advantageous, alongside strategically seeking employment with larger health systems that typically offer more comprehensive compensation packages. Understanding these dynamics can significantly impact how much do ultrasound technologists make in Cornelius NC.
More salary data for Cornelius, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ultrasound technologists make in Cornelius, NC in 2026?
Is Cornelius, NC a good place to work as a ultrasound technologist?
Can ultrasound technologists make $100K in Cornelius?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted ultrasound technologist salary in Cornelius?
How much does a ultrasound technologist make per hour in Cornelius?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $82,408 for ultrasound technologistsin the Cornelius metropolitan area. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cornelius is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.93%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for ultrasound technologists (SOC 29-2032).
Compiled and verified by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT, a licensed ultrasound technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov