Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay in Clemson, SC: $39.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer working in Clemson, SC runs $39.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,634 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2032). Weighted against Clemson's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,976 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Clemson, South Carolina, the projected median hourly pay for a diagnostic medical sonographer stands at $39.24 for 2026. This rate falls significantly below the national median hourly wage of $48.73, reflecting local market dynamics and cost of living factors. For those working part-time—say three days a week—a sonographer could anticipate earning approximately $626 to $940 weekly, depending on the hours worked. The hourly wage for diagnostic medical sonographers in Clemson generally ranges from $29.61 for entry-level positions up to $50.24 for top earners, providing a spectrum that accommodates various professional levels within typical settings such as hospital ultrasound suites or outpatient imaging centers. These figures are derived from projected annual salary data, emphasizing the essential role of this profession in delivering quality patient care across diverse medical environments.
About the Clemson 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) | $29.61 | $236.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.75 | $269.96 |
| Median (P50) | $39.24 | $313.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.81 | $342.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.24 | $401.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clemson
Based on $39.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.24/hr, a diagnostic medical sonographer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clemson, SC can expect to earn approximately $81,627 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,093. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Clemson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clemson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,569.75 | $6,802 | $81,627 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $941.85 | $4,081 | $48,976 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $627.90 | $2,721 | $32,651 |
Compare DMS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Clemson) | $39.24 |
| 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 Clemson, SC earn a median of $81,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.45% lower than the national median of $101,352 and 7.90% below the South Carolina state average of $88,637.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.24/hr = $48,976/year (purchasing power: $53,526).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,627/year (purchasing power: $89,210).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Clemson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Clemson grew 30.0% from $28.78/hr (2019) to $37.40/hr (2025). At a 4.93% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.18/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 Clemson 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 Clemson
When considering part-time work, a diagnostic medical sonographer in Clemson who opts for a three-day workweek will find that their annual income can vary significantly from full-time counterparts. While full-time professionals benefit from more consistent pay, part-time workers may enjoy increased flexibility and potentially higher hourly earnings through per-diem opportunities. Per diem diagnostic medical sonographer pay in Clemson generally ranges from $55 to $80 per hour, with specialized areas such as cardiac echo reaching even higher rates of $70 to $95 per hour. Travel contracts for sonographers may yield substantial weekly pay, from $2,000 to $3,200, particularly in high-demand specialties like cardiac or vascular. In Clemson's varied healthcare landscape, hourly rates can differ across employer types, such as hospitals or outpatient imaging centers like RadNet and SimonMed, often reflecting the trade-off between higher wages and benefits like health insurance. Knowing how to negotiate pay, especially for hourly roles, can make a substantial difference in total earnings, making it crucial for diagnostic medical sonographers to be well-informed about their worth in the local market.
More salary data for Clemson, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for diagnostic medical sonographers in Clemson in 2026?
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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 Clemson. 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 Clemson 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