Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Fargo, ND: $43.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Fargo, ND runs $43.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,467 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Fargo's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,882 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, diagnostic medical sonographers earn a median hourly rate of $43.98, which is lower than the national average of $48.73. This rate translates to significant earning potential for both full-time professionals and those seeking part-time or per-diem positions. For part-time sonographers working three days a week, the pay can be quite appealing, allowing them to balance their personal commitments with their professional aspirations. The hourly pay range for this position in Fargo extends from $35.98 for entry-level roles to as high as $51.74 for experienced sonographers, providing a pathway for career advancement and financial growth in various settings, including hospital ultrasound suites, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging vans. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.98 | $287.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.06 | $328.47 |
| Median (P50) | $43.98 | $351.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.22 | $377.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.74 | $413.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fargo
Based on $43.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.98/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fargo, ND can expect to earn approximately $91,470 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,771. With a cost-of-living index of 90.87 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fargo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fargo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,759.05 | $7,623 | $91,470 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,055.43 | $4,574 | $54,882 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $703.62 | $3,049 | $36,588 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Fargo) | $43.98 |
| 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 Fargo, ND earn a median of $91,467 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.75% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 1.90% below the North Dakota state average of $93,239.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.98/hr = $54,882/year (purchasing power: $60,396).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,470/year (purchasing power: $100,660).
CoL index: 90.871 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Fargo grew 26.0% from $33.27/hr (2019) to $41.91/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.14/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 Fargo 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 Fargo
For those contemplating a part-time role, a diagnostic medical sonographer working 24 hours a week can expect to take home a comfortable annual income, significantly different from the earnings of full-time counterparts. Moreover, per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Fargo is typically higher, with rates ranging from $55 to $80 per hour for general positions, climbing even higher for cardiac echo roles, which can command between $70 and $95 per hour. The opportunity for travel sonographers to earn between $2,000 and $3,200 per week further amplifies the appeal of flexible work arrangements. In Fargo, hourly rates vary by employer type, with facilities like hospital imaging departments and outpatient centers offering different compensation structures. Accepting a lower hourly rate in exchange for benefits like health insurance might be a trade-off some professionals consider. Negotiating hourly pay effectively can enhance take-home income; understanding the specific market conditions in Fargo, as well as demonstrating specialized credentials like RDMS or RDCS, can provide leverage for better compensation.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Fargo in 2026?
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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 Fargo. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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