Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in Butte, MT: $94,754 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time diagnostic medical sonographer in Butte, MT earns a median $94,754/year (≈ $45.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Once you factor in Butte's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $98,497 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, Montana, diagnostic medical sonographers can expect a median annual salary of $94,754 in 2026, reflecting a pay gradient influenced by specialty, particularly between cardiac echo and general sonography roles. The salary range for this occupation spans from $65,332 at the 10th percentile to $125,904 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on experience, certification, and the specific clinical environments in which sonographers operate. These figures are informed by local estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, giving Butte professionals an opportunity to understand their earning potential within the context of the broader healthcare landscape.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,332 | $31.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,652 | $38.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,754 | $45.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,431 | $50.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,904 | $60.53 |
Median Salary Position
6.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Butte
In Butte, MT, the diagnostic medical sonographer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,572 (2026 est.). At $94,754, the local median is 6.51% below the national median of $101,352.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Butte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Butte Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Pay Compares
Butte median: $94,754/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Butte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $97,483 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $101,352 | -6.51% less |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Butte, MT earn a median of $94,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.51% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $97,483.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Butte has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Butte, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A diagnostic medical sonographer earning $94,754 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,497 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,482
2025 BLS Actual
$90,302
2026 Current Est.
$94,754
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,482 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,978 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,679 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,054 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,971 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,792 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,302 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,754 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,425 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Butte metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 30.0% from $69,482 (2019) to $90,302 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,425 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,943 (43.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Butte 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) | $65,332 – $80,652 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,652 – $94,754 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,754 – $105,431 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,431 – $125,904 |
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 Butte
The local job market for diagnostic medical sonographers in Butte features roughly seven practitioners, indicating a specialized yet competitive field. With a cost-of-living index at 96.2, sonographers find that their salaries, while competitive, may offer slightly diminished purchasing power compared to national highs. Employment within hospital imaging departments typically garners the highest compensation, followed closely by outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed. Specialty areas significantly influence earnings; for instance, cardiac sonographers generally command higher wages, followed by those specializing in vascular imaging, obstetrics, and abdominal assessments. To maximize pay in Butte, professionals should focus on obtaining advanced credentials, consider shift differentials for night or on-call hours, and explore opportunities in traveling sonography—which often offers premium pay—especially as healthcare facilities seek to fill gaps in staffing.
More salary data for Butte, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can diagnostic medical sonographers make $100K in Butte?
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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 $90,302 for diagnostic medical sonographersin the Butte 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 Butte 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