Ultrasound Tech Pay

Bismarck vs Williston: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare ultrasound technologist salaries between Bismarck, ND and Williston, ND. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bismarck, ND
$86,683
$41.68/hr
Williston, ND
$88,974
$42.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBismarck, NDWilliston, ND
Median Salary$86,683$88,974
Hourly Rate$41.68$42.78
Entry Level (P10)$75,665$66,019
25th Percentile$86,683$75,742
75th Percentile$105,727$97,225
Top Earner (P90)$105,727$114,870
Total Employed507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bismarck ($86,683) and Williston ($88,974) ultrasound technologist salaries.BismarckWillistonMedian Salary$86,683$88,974Entry Level (P10)$75,665$66,019Top Earner (P90)$105,727$114,870US Median $101,352

Verdict

Williston, ND offers better overall compensation for ultrasound technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bismarck.

The salary gap between Bismarck and Williston is $2,291 (2.64%). Williston's median is -12.21% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bismarck spans $30,062,Williston spans $48,851. Williston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ultrasound technologists.

Bismarck
P10 (Entry)$75,665
P25$86,683
Median$86,683
P75$105,727
P90 (Top)$105,727
Williston
P10 (Entry)$66,019
P25$75,742
Median$88,974
P75$97,225
P90 (Top)$114,870

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Williston ($96,711 effective) pays 1.55% more than Bismarck ($95,231 effective).

Bismarck
Nominal: $86,683
CoL Index: 91.024
Adjusted: $95,231
Williston
Nominal: $88,974
CoL Index: 92
Adjusted: $96,711

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bismarck if…

  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Choose Williston if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,974/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($114,870)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,711)
  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ultrasound technologist salaries in Bismarck grew 11.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.8% growth in Williston over the same period.

Bismarck, ND

+11.7%

$73,930 (2019) → $82,610 (2025)

Williston, ND

+23.8%

$68,474 (2024) → $84,794 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ultrasound technologists more: Bismarck or Williston?

Williston has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $88,974/year, compared to Bismarck at $86,683/year — a difference of $2,291 (2.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bismarck and Williston?

Bismarck ultrasound technologists earn $41.68/hr while Williston hygienists earn $42.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bismarck to Williston as a ultrasound technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bismarck and Williston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bismarck = $95,231, Williston = $96,711), job availability (50 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ultrasound technologists earn in Bismarck vs Williston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $75,665 in Bismarck and $66,019 in Williston. The Bismarck area offers higher starting salaries.
RP

Written by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT

Career Analyst

Ravi has 10 years of experience as an ultrasound technologist. He specializes in abdominal and pelvic imaging. He works in a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, RDMS, RTData verified by James Kim, RDCS, RVT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.93% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT, a licensed ultrasound technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov