Ultrasound Technologist Salary in South Dakota: $85,727 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median ultrasound technologist pay sits at $85,727/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2032. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $92,378 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rapid City ($90,674), Watertown ($86,189), Yankton ($86,162).
In South Dakota, the average salary for ultrasound technologists in 2026 is projected to be $85,727, which is 15.4% lower than the national median of $101,352. The highest salaries can be found in Rapid City at $95,144, while Sioux Falls reports the lowest at $84,574, highlighting a salary gap of $10,570 between these two cities. This difference may be driven by variations in local healthcare demand, cost of living, and the presence of larger medical facilities in Rapid City. The job market for ultrasound technologists in South Dakota is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.93%, indicating a solid outlook for employment in this field. Licensing requirements in the state align with national standards, ensuring that technologists meet specific training and certification criteria before entering the workforce. Demand for ultrasound services is influenced by an aging population and advancements in medical imaging technology, both of which suggest continued opportunities in smaller cities like Watertown, Yankton, and Mitchell, where projected salaries are also competitive, ranging from $89,533 to $90,438. Overall, South Dakota provides a steady career path for ultrasound technologists with promising job stability and growth.
South Dakota Ultrasound Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $53,619 (lowest entry-level) to $128,081 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota ultrasound technologists earn 15.42% less than the national median ($-15,625/year difference).
South Dakota Ultrasound Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Ultrasound Technologist salaries in South Dakota range from $56,053 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $105,448 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $85,727. The South Dakota median is $15,625 below the US national median of $101,352. The average hourly rate is $41.21/hr. Approximately 311 ultrasound technologists are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,285
2025 BLS Actual
$81,699
2026 Current Est.
$85,727
2019–2027 Growth
+42.1%
Salary Trajectory for Ultrasound Technologists in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,285 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,493 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,533 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,419 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,817 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,727 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,953 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median ultrasound technologist salary grew 29.1% from $63,285 (2019) to $81,699 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,953 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,668 (42.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $84,574 |
| Huron | $86,739 |
| Vermillion | $86,874 |
| Brookings | $86,895 |
| Pierre | $88,366 |
Best Value Cities for Ultrasound Technologists in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for ultrasound technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $95,144 | 92.8 | $102,526 |
| Watertown | $90,438 | 92.8 | $97,455 |
| Yankton | $90,410 | 92.8 | $97,425 |
| Spearfish | $90,183 | 92.8 | $97,180 |
| Mitchell | $89,533 | 92.8 | $96,480 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $56,053 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $85,727 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $105,448 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $95,144 |
| 2 | Watertown | $90,438 |
| 3 | Yankton | $90,410 |
| 4 | Spearfish | $90,183 |
| 5 | Mitchell | $89,533 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | $89,384 |
| 7 | Pierre | $88,366 |
| 8 | Brookings | $86,895 |
| 9 | Vermillion | $86,874 |
| 10 | Huron | $86,739 |
| 11 | Sioux Falls | $84,574 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore ultrasound technologist hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced ultrasound technologists.
Explore More Ultrasound Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ultrasound technologists make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for ultrasound technologists in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota ultrasound technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level ultrasound technologist salary in South Dakota?
How many ultrasound technologists are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for ultrasound technologists?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 4.93% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 ultrasound technologist compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more ultrasound technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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 ultrasound technologists (SOC 29-2032).
Compiled and verified by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT, a licensed ultrasound technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov