Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in North Dakota: $90,300 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median diagnostic medical sonographer pay sits at $90,300/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2032. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $98,152 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Grand Forks ($89,364), West Fargo ($87,331), Minot ($87,269).
In North Dakota, the average median salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in 2026 is projected to be $90,301, which is approximately 10.9% below the national median of $101,352. Among the state's metro areas, Grand Forks offers the highest salary at $93,770, while Bismarck has the lowest at $86,683, creating a salary gap of $7,087. This disparity can be attributed to variances in healthcare demand, population size, and hospital funding in different regions. North Dakota requires specific licensing for sonographers, along with adherence to state scope of practice laws, which can affect job responsibilities and tasks. Factors driving demand in the state include an aging population and advancements in medical imaging technology. The overall job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in North Dakota shows a positive outlook, with a projected growth rate of 4.93% annually. The top cities for employment in the state, besides Grand Forks, include West Fargo at $91,636, Minot at $91,571, Fargo at $91,467, and Dickinson at $91,174. With a total of 213 sonographers employed statewide, the job market remains stable, balancing local needs with the increasing demand for healthcare services.
North Dakota Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $63,693 (lowest entry-level) to $123,484 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota diagnostic medical sonographers earn 10.9% less than the national median ($-11,052/year difference).
North Dakota Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Distribution (2026)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salaries in North Dakota range from $72,616 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $110,025 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $90,300. The North Dakota median is $11,052 below the US national median of $101,352. The average hourly rate is $43.42/hr. Approximately 213 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,943
2025 BLS Actual
$86,058
2026 Current Est.
$90,300
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,943 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,805 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,233 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,656 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,058 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,300 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,752 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 21.3% from $70,943 (2019) to $86,058 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,752 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,809 (33.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Best Value Cities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for diagnostic medical sonographers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $93,770 | 92 | $101,924 |
| Fargo | $91,467 | 90.871 | $100,656 |
| West Fargo | $91,636 | 92 | $99,604 |
| Minot | $91,571 | 92 | $99,534 |
| Dickinson | $91,174 | 92 | $99,102 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $72,616 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $90,300 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $110,025 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks | $93,770 |
| 2 | West Fargo | $91,636 |
| 3 | Minot | $91,571 |
| 4 | Fargo | $91,467 |
| 5 | Dickinson | $91,174 |
| 6 | Williston | $88,974 |
| 7 | Mandan | $87,148 |
| 8 | Bismarck | $86,683 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new diagnostic medical sonographers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.
Explore More Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for diagnostic medical sonographers in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer salary in North Dakota?
How many diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for diagnostic medical sonographers?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 diagnostic medical sonographer compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more diagnostic medical sonographerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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