Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Fort Dodge, IA: $79,819 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Fort Dodge, IA earns a median $79,819/year (≈ $38.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Fort Dodge's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $88,295 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Dodge, Iowa, diagnostic medical sonographers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $79,819 in 2026. This figure places local compensation significantly below the national median of $101,352, reflecting a local salary range that spans from $60,051 at the 10th percentile to $98,782 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, take into account regional price differences, influencing the overall compensation landscape. The job market is particularly receptive to specialized skills, such as those in cardiac or vascular sonography, often commanding a premium, especially with increasing demand for expert providers in this area.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,051 | $28.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,313 | $32.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,819 | $38.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,827 | $41.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,782 | $47.49 |
Median Salary Position
21.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Dodge
In Fort Dodge, IA, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,731 (2026 est.). At $79,819, the local median is 21.25% below the national median of $101,352.
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At 40 hours/week in Fort Dodge: You'd be above the median
How Fort Dodge Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Fort Dodge median: $79,819/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Dodge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $86,949 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -21.25% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $79,819 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.25% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $86,949.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Dodge has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Dodge, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $79,819 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,295 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,530
2025 BLS Actual
$76,069
2026 Current Est.
$79,819
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,224 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,067 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,524 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,065 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,069 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,819 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Dodge metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $58,530 (2019) to $76,069 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,224 (43.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Dodge 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) | $60,051 – $68,313 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,313 – $79,819 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,819 – $86,827 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,827 – $98,782 |
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 Fort Dodge
Currently, there are four diagnostic medical sonographers employed in Fort Dodge, indicating a tight-knit job market for this specialty. The cost-of-living index in the area is 90.4, which is below the national average, suggesting that the local salary can stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Hospitals and outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed might offer some of the most competitive wages in the region, particularly for sonographers with advanced specialty credentials like RDMS or RDCS. Factors driving variance in pay include subspecialty expertise, shift differentials, and the growing trend of travel sonography, which can significantly enhance earnings. For those in Fort Dodge, pursuing certifications, staying flexible with job opportunities, and considering travel assignments can be effective strategies to boost overall income in the evolving sonography field.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, IA:
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 $76,069 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge 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