Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Aiken, SC: $42.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Aiken, SC runs $42.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,906 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Aiken's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,748 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aiken, South Carolina, the projected hourly wage for a diagnostic medical sonographer is $42.27, which is notably lower than the national median of $48.73. This hourly rate provides a solid foundation for both full-time practitioners and part-time workers, with those on a typical three-day-per-week schedule earning significant pay for their expertise in settings like hospital ultrasound suites and outpatient imaging centers. For entry-level sonographers, hourly pay typically starts around $30.57, while experienced professionals can command up to $55.22. This structure indicates a potential for growth within the profession, making it appealing for those looking to build a steady career in diagnostic imaging in Aiken.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.57 | $244.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.39 | $283.14 |
| Median (P50) | $42.27 | $338.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.45 | $371.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.22 | $441.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aiken
Based on $42.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.27/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aiken, SC can expect to earn approximately $87,913 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,719. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aiken.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aiken
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,690.63 | $7,326 | $87,913 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,014.38 | $4,396 | $52,748 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $676.25 | $2,930 | $35,165 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Aiken) | $42.27 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $35.27 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (National Avg) | $46.68 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist (National Avg) | $33.92 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Aiken, SC earn a median of $87,906 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.27% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $88,615.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.27/hr = $52,748/year (purchasing power: $57,648).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,913/year (purchasing power: $96,080).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Aiken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Aiken grew 30.0% from $30.99/hr (2019) to $40.28/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.35/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem diagnostic medical sonographers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aiken 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.
Working as an Hourly Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Aiken
For those exploring part-time opportunities in Aiken, a diagnostic medical sonographer working a typical schedule of 24 hours weekly could anticipate an annual take-home significantly lower than what full-time colleagues make, despite similar hourly rates. Per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Aiken can be quite lucrative, with rates typically ranging from $55 to $80 per hour, and specialized cardiac echo sonographers often seeing rates spike between $70 and $95. Contracted travel assignments may yield weekly earnings of $2,000 to $3,200, especially for those in high-demand specialties like cardiac or vascular sonography. Hourly rates can vary by employer type—hospitals, outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, and private practices each have different pay structures. Many sonographers must weigh the benefits of secure employment, contributing factors such as health insurance, against potentially higher hourly pay without benefits in per diem roles. Effective negotiation tactics include understanding local market rates and clearly presenting value, particularly for specialized credentials like RDCS and RVT, which can justify higher pay.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for diagnostic medical sonographers in Aiken. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Aiken 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