Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Pierre, SD: $88,366 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Pierre, SD earns a median $88,366/year (≈ $42.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Pierre's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $95,222 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pierre, South Dakota, the projected median annual salary for a diagnostic medical sonographer is $88,366 in 2026, reflecting significant variations in compensation across the local market. Salaries range from as low as $62,510 at the 10th percentile to up to $113,386 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive landscape influenced by distinct employment types. With reports indicating only four diagnostic medical sonographers currently employed in the area, the limited workforce suggests that hospital imaging departments tend to offer higher wages compared to outpatient chains like RadNet and SimonMed. Furthermore, the estimated figures account for local cost adjustments, underscoring the possibility that these professionals in Pierre may earn less than the national median of $101,352, primarily due to the structural choices between facility types that affect overall pay dynamics.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,138 | $37.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,366 | $42.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,544 | $46.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,386 | $54.51 |
Median Salary Position
12.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pierre
In Pierre, SD, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,876 (2026 est.). At $88,366, the local median is 12.81% below the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in Pierre: You'd be above the median
How Pierre Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Pierre median: $88,366/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pierre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $94,006 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -12.81% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Pierre, SD earn a median of $88,366 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 6.00% below the South Dakota state average of $94,006.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pierre has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pierre, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $88,366 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,222 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,797
2025 BLS Actual
$84,214
2026 Current Est.
$88,366
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,797 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,192 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,779 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,927 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,647 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,774 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,214 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,366 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,722 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pierre metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $64,797 (2019) to $84,214 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,722 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,925 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pierre 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $62,510 – $78,138 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,138 – $88,366 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,366 – $96,544 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,544 – $113,386 |
DMS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual diagnostic medical sonographer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Job Market in Pierre
The job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Pierre features a low number of local professionals, which can lead to unique pay opportunities. With a cost of living index slightly below the national average at 92.8, the purchasing power for sonographers may be more favorable than it seems, particularly for those achieving higher pay within local specialties such as cardiac and vascular sonography. Compensation can also vary due to factors like shift differentials, call coverage roles, and opportunities at mobile imaging companies or travel sonography agencies. Employers that pay the most in the area include hospital imaging departments and specialized practices in cardiology and OB-GYN. Maximizing earning potential in Pierre often requires pursuing advanced specialty credentials, such as earning RDMS or RVT designations, and seeking positions that offer better benefits, training opportunities, and exposure to high-demand procedures to enhance one’s overall market value.
More salary data for Pierre, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $84,214 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Pierre metropolitan area. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pierre 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