How Much Does a Sonographer Make in North Dakota in 2026?
Typical pay for Sonographers in North Dakota, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · North Dakota · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical Sonographer in North Dakota earns about $40.55 per hour, or $84,340 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $7,028 a month and about $1,622 a week. Those numbers reflect the middle of the pay range across the state, not the highest or lowest earners in the field.
That pay sits about 13% below the national figure of $96,590 a year ($46.44 an hour), ranking North Dakota 36th among the 51 states and D.C. for Sonographer pay. Around 240 Sonographers work in the state, a modest workforce compared with the national total of 90,160. Lower pay in North Dakota tends to track its lower cost of living relative to larger metro states.
Sonographer pay in North Dakota at a glance
- Sonographers in North Dakota typically earn $40.55 an hour ($84,340 a year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- That's about 13% below the national figure of $96,590 a year, placing North Dakota 36th among the 51 states and D.C.
- Fargo pays the most in the state, with Sonographers there earning $87,170 a year, about 3% above the state figure.
- Entry-level positions typically start around $66,890 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $102,570.
- North Dakota Sonographer pay has climbed 27% over the past decade, adding $17,750 to the typical yearly figure since 2015.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Sonographer make in North Dakota?
Sonographer pay by career stage in North Dakota
| Career stage | North Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $66,890$32.16 an hour | $67,820$32.60 an hour |
| First years | $80,310$38.61 an hour | $80,430$38.67 an hour |
| Typical Sonographer | $84,340$40.55 an hour | $96,590$46.44 an hour |
| Experienced | $94,160$45.27 an hour | $106,930$51.41 an hour |
| Top 10% | $102,570$49.31 an hour | $129,370$62.20 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
Sonographer pay by experience level in North Dakota
Entry-level positions in North Dakota typically offer around $32.16 an hour, or $66,890 a year. Pay typically rises toward the state's typical figure of $84,340 within the first few years on the job. New Sonographers often start in this range before moving into higher-paying settings or specialties.
Experienced Sonographers in North Dakota often earn upwards of $45.27 an hour ($94,160 a year), and the top 10% make over $49.31 an hour, or $102,570 a year. That's a spread of $35,680 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual lands within that range.
Sonographer pay growth in North Dakota
Typical (median) annual wage for Sonographers in North Dakota · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
North Dakota Sonographer pay has risen from $66,590 in 2015 to $84,340 in 2025. That's a gain of $17,750, or 27%, over the decade. The increase has been fairly steady year over year, with the largest single jump coming between 2022 and 2023.
Nationally, Sonographer pay grew 40% over the same ten years, faster than North Dakota's 27% rise. Pay in the state has still moved up steadily each year since 2015, with no declines along the way. That trend doesn't guarantee future increases, but it shows a consistent upward pattern for anyone starting out now.
Sonographer salary by city in North Dakota
Pay runs highest in Fargo, where Sonographers earn $87,170 a year ($41.91 an hour), about 3% above the state figure. Fargo also has the largest Sonographer workforce in the state, with about 110 employed there. Figures like these cover the full metro area around each city, not just the city limits.
Bismarck pays less, with Sonographers there earning $82,610 a year ($39.72 an hour) and about 50 employed in that metro area. The spread between the two cities comes to $4,560 a year. Both cities carry higher living costs than much of rural North Dakota, which factors into the pay difference between them and smaller towns.
How North Dakota compares with nearby states
North Dakota's Sonographer pay trails both of its western and eastern neighbors. Minnesota pays $102,850 a year, about 22% more than North Dakota, and Montana pays $101,000, about 20% more. South Dakota pays less, at $80,820 a year, about 4% below North Dakota's figure. A Sonographer license or registry credential earned in one of these states can often be endorsed or transferred into a neighboring one, though requirements vary.
| State | Typical pay | Vs North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $84,340 | baseline |
| Minnesota | $102,850 | +22% |
| Montana | $101,000 | +20% |
| South Dakota | $80,820 | -4% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical Sonographer pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is North Dakota a good state for Sonographers?
Sonographer pay in North Dakota sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $84,340 a year, 13% below the national figure, ranking 36th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in North Dakota, about 0.6 are Sonographer positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.6. Sonographer jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. On pay alone, North Dakota ranks below most states.
Summary
A typical Sonographer in North Dakota earns about $84,340 a year, up 27% over the past decade from $66,590 in 2015. Pay is below the national figure but has moved up steadily. Anyone weighing a move or a new license should check North Dakota's licensing and registry requirements directly, and compare local figures for Fargo and Bismarck before deciding where to work.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Sonographer make in North Dakota?
- A typical Sonographer in North Dakota earns about $40.55 an hour, or $84,340 a year. That's roughly $7,028 a month or $1,622 a week, and it sits about 13% below the national figure of $96,590 a year.
- How much does a Sonographer make an hour in North Dakota?
- Sonographers in North Dakota typically earn about $40.55 an hour. Entry-level pay starts closer to $32.16 an hour, while the top 10% of earners make over $49.31 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Sonographer in North Dakota?
- Entry-level Sonographer positions in North Dakota typically offer around $32.16 an hour, or $66,890 a year. Pay tends to rise toward the state's typical figure of $84,340 a year within the first few years on the job.
- Which city in North Dakota pays Sonographers the most?
- Fargo pays the most, with Sonographers there earning $87,170 a year ($41.91 an hour), about 3% above the state figure. Bismarck follows at $82,610 a year. Fargo also has the largest Sonographer workforce in the state, with about 110 employed there.
- Is Sonographer pay in North Dakota higher than the national rate?
- No. Sonographers in North Dakota earn about 13% less than the national figure of $96,590 a year, ranking the state 36th among the 51 states and D.C. Lower pay in North Dakota generally tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states.