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Salary comparison

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?

Diagnostic Medical Sonographerss out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess by $32K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Diagnostic Medical Sonographerss land at $96,590 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess at $64,400. The education gap is real: diagnostic medical sonographer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Diagnostic Medical Sonographerss is California ($128,530); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess it's Washington ($83,150).

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$96,590
$64,400
Hourly rate
$46.44/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$67,820
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$129,370
$83,440
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
90,160
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
California
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Diagnostic Medical Sonographers median pay.

State
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
California
$128,530
$79,750
Washington
$121,340
$83,150
Oregon
$120,220
$80,470
District of Columbia
$112,020
$75,740
Colorado
$108,410
$73,880
Massachusetts
$107,480
$80,220
Alaska
$105,670
$80,800
New Hampshire
$103,760
$77,110
Connecticut
$103,230
$73,690
New Jersey
$103,150
$75,160
Illinois
$100,660
$75,000
Arizona
$100,040
$77,070
Maryland
$99,210
$74,660
Nevada
$95,980
$76,160
Rhode Island
$92,820
$80,090

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Diagnostic Medical Sonographerss or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess?

Diagnostic Medical Sonographerss earn more nationally. The median is $96,590 for Diagnostic Medical Sonographerss versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess, a difference of $32K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers typically requires bachelor's degree. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Diagnostic Medical Sonographerss get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Diagnostic Medical Sonographerss at $128,530/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Diagnostic Medical Sonographers vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Diagnostic Medical Sonographerss earn $128,530 vs. $79,750 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Diagnostic Medical Sonographers salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nursess by take-home payExplore →How to become a diagnostic medical sonographersGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →