Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Billings, MT: $112,632 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Billings, MT earns a median $112,632/year (≈ $54.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $120,429 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.5% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Billings, Montana, the projected annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in 2026 reaches a notable $112,632, showcasing a compelling advantage for professionals in this field compared to the national median of $101,352. Salary ranges between $84,416 at the lower percentile to $121,687 for those in the 90th percentile reflect a diverse job market influenced by varying employment settings, such as hospital imaging departments and outpatient centers. The salary data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicates potential for career growth, particularly in a city where advancements in healthcare practices are dynamically shaping sonographer compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,416 | $40.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,863 | $49.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $112,632 | $54.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,632 | $54.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,687 | $58.51 |
Median Salary Position
11.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,271 (2026 est.). At $112,632, the local median is 11.13% above the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Billings Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Billings median: $112,632/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $97,517 | +15.50% more |
| National Average | $101,352 | +11.13% more |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Billings, MT earn a median of $112,632 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.13% higher than the national median of $101,352 and 15.50% above the Montana state average of $97,517.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $112,632 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,429 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,250
2025 BLS Actual
$107,340
2026 Current Est.
$112,632
2019–2027 Growth
+51.0%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,632 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,185 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 37.2% from $78,250 (2019) to $107,340 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,185 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,935 (51.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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) | $84,416 – $102,863 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,863 – $112,632 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $112,632 – $112,632 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,632 – $121,687 |
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 Billings
The job market in Billings currently employs around 50 diagnostic medical sonographers, providing a solid foundation amidst a cost of living index of 93.526, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch farther than in higher-cost cities. Hospitals typically offer the highest compensation, especially for specialties in cardiac echo, followed by vascular and OB-GYN practices, with outpatient imaging chains like RadNet and SimonMed also contributing to competitive pay. Various factors drive the differences in earnings, such as specialty focus, shift differentials, and opportunities with travel sonography agencies or vendor applications roles. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Billings, gaining additional certifications, such as RDCS or RVT, and seeking roles in high-demand specialties can significantly enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Billings, MT in 2026?
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Billings?
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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 $107,340 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Billings 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
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