Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in South Dakota: $85,727 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median diagnostic medical sonographer pay sits at $85,727/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2032. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $92,378 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rapid City ($90,674), Watertown ($86,189), Yankton ($86,162).
The salary landscape for diagnostic medical sonographers in South Dakota reveals some interesting trends. The average median salary is projected at $85,727 in 2026, which is 15.4% lower than the national median of $101,352. Within the state, Rapid City offers the highest salaries at $95,144, while Sioux Falls presents the lowest at $84,574, indicating a salary gap of $10,570. This difference may stem from factors such as local demand for healthcare services and the size of the medical facilities in each city. In South Dakota, diagnostic medical sonographers must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws. These regulations help maintain professional standards and can impact job availability and compensation. The demand for sonographers is driven by an aging population and advancements in medical imaging technology, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 4.93% in employment. Overall, with a total of 311 diagnostic medical sonographers employed across the state, job prospects appear stable. Rapid City, Watertown, Yankton, Spearfish, and Mitchell are among the top cities for employment, with salaries in the high $80,000s to low $90,000s, reflecting regional economic conditions and healthcare needs.
South Dakota Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $53,619 (lowest entry-level) to $128,081 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota diagnostic medical sonographers earn 15.42% less than the national median ($-15,625/year difference).
South Dakota Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Distribution (2026)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salaries in South Dakota range from $56,053 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $105,448 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $85,727. The South Dakota median is $15,625 below the US national median of $101,352. The average hourly rate is $41.21/hr. Approximately 311 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,285
2025 BLS Actual
$81,699
2026 Current Est.
$85,727
2019–2027 Growth
+42.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,285 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,493 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,533 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,419 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,817 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,727 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,953 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 29.1% from $63,285 (2019) to $81,699 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,953 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,668 (42.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South 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 South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $84,574 |
| Huron | $86,739 |
| Vermillion | $86,874 |
| Brookings | $86,895 |
| Pierre | $88,366 |
Best Value Cities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for diagnostic medical sonographers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $95,144 | 92.8 | $102,526 |
| Watertown | $90,438 | 92.8 | $97,455 |
| Yankton | $90,410 | 92.8 | $97,425 |
| Spearfish | $90,183 | 92.8 | $97,180 |
| Mitchell | $89,533 | 92.8 | $96,480 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $56,053 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $85,727 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $105,448 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $95,144 |
| 2 | Watertown | $90,438 |
| 3 | Yankton | $90,410 |
| 4 | Spearfish | $90,183 |
| 5 | Mitchell | $89,533 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | $89,384 |
| 7 | Pierre | $88,366 |
| 8 | Brookings | $86,895 |
| 9 | Vermillion | $86,874 |
| 10 | Huron | $86,739 |
| 11 | Sioux Falls | $84,574 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay in South 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 South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for diagnostic medical sonographers in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer salary in South Dakota?
How many diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in South Dakota?
Which South 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 South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 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