Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Rapid City, SD: $45.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Rapid City, SD runs $45.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,144 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Rapid City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,082 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rapid City, the diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay stands at $45.74, slightly below the national median of $48.73. This hourly rate provides significant insights for both part-time and per-diem professionals, allowing for flexible work schedules in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging units. For those working three days a week, part-time roles could create a favorable work-life balance while earning between $32.05 and $61.57 per hour, depending on experience and specialty. The projection for 2026 reveals a competitive range that provides clarity on earnings for both entry-level and top earners, which makes this profession appealing in terms of compensation as it aligns with the growing demand for ultrasound imaging services.
About the Rapid City 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) | $32.05 | $256.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.70 | $301.61 |
| Median (P50) | $45.74 | $365.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.03 | $408.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.57 | $492.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rapid City
Based on $45.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.74/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rapid City, SD can expect to earn approximately $95,137 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,887. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rapid City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rapid City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,829.56 | $7,928 | $95,137 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,097.74 | $4,757 | $57,082 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $731.82 | $3,171 | $38,055 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Rapid City) | $45.74 |
| 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 Rapid City, SD earn a median of $95,144 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.13% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.20% above the South Dakota state average of $94,016.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.74/hr = $57,082/year (purchasing power: $61,511).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,137/year (purchasing power: $102,518).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Rapid City grew 27.8% from $34.12/hr (2019) to $43.59/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.99/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 Rapid City 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 Rapid City
Looking more closely at potential earnings, a diagnostic medical sonographer working part-time for 24 hours a week would take home a substantial annual income compared to full-time workers, allowing them to strike a balance between personal and professional commitments. For those considering per diem work, the reality is even more enticing, with rates commonly ranging from $55 to $80 per hour, particularly for cardiac echo positions where pay reaches $70 to $95 per hour. Travel sonography contracts command impressive weekly earnings of $2,000 to $3,200, especially for cardiac and vascular specialties. However, hourly wages can vary greatly depending on the employer type in Rapid City, with hospitals offering stability often opting for lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits, while outpatient facilities and private practices may provide higher rates with fewer perks. Negotiating hourly pay effectively may include weighing the value of health benefits against higher pay rates, and being informed on regional trends can lend a strategic edge in these discussions—another layer to consider in the evolving landscape of diagnostic medical sonographer careers in SD.
More salary data for Rapid City, 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 Rapid City. 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 Rapid City 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