Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Brookings, SD: $41.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Brookings, SD runs $41.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,895 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Brookings's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,132 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Brookings, South Dakota, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay is projected to be $41.77 in 2026, considerably lower than the national median of $48.73 per hour. For part-time employees working three days a week, this could translate to roughly $31,200 annually before taxes, depending on actual hours worked. Those considering per-diem opportunities in settings such as hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, or mobile imaging vans might find the flexibility appealing. Brookings offers a competitive hourly range where entry-level sonographers can expect around $31.93, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $52.30 per hour. This hourly data is estimated from broader annual salary statistics, reflecting the unique nuances of the local job market tailored to the community's healthcare environment.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.93 | $255.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.09 | $288.68 |
| Median (P50) | $41.77 | $334.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.84 | $358.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.30 | $418.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brookings
Based on $41.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.77/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brookings, SD can expect to earn approximately $86,887 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,127. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brookings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brookings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,670.91 | $7,241 | $86,887 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,002.54 | $4,344 | $52,132 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $668.36 | $2,896 | $34,755 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Brookings) | $41.77 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $35.27 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (National Avg) | $46.68 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist (National Avg) | $33.92 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Brookings, SD earn a median of $86,895 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.26% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $94,042.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.77/hr = $52,132/year (purchasing power: $56,177).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,887/year (purchasing power: $93,628).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Brookings grew 30.0% from $30.63/hr (2019) to $39.81/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.83/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem diagnostic medical sonographers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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.
Working as an Hourly Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Brookings
When examining part-time opportunities, a diagnostic medical sonographer in Brookings working 24 hours a week could expect a significantly different take-home compared to full-time employment. Per-diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Brookings often runs between $55-$80 per hour, making this an attractive option for those seeking higher earnings, particularly in specialized roles such as cardiac echo sonography, where per-diem rates can reach up to $95. The differences in pay are also evident across employer types: positions in hospitals may offer lower hourly rates but come with benefits, while outpatient imaging centers and private practices may offer higher pay without those benefits. This trade-off between higher hourly pay and health insurance plays a pivotal role in a sonographer's employment decisions. For those looking to negotiate hourly rates, being informed about specialty credential requirements from ARDMS and understanding the pay structures of employers like RadNet or SimonMed can provide a competitive edge in securing a desirable pay rate in Brookings.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Khan, RDMS, RVT
Career Analyst
Aisha has over 10 years of experience in abdominal sonography. She works at a regional hospital. Aisha also conducts training for new sonographers.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for diagnostic medical sonographers in Brookings. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookings 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 diagnostic medical sonographers (SOC 29-2032).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Khan, RDMS, RVT, a licensed diagnostic medical sonographer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov