Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary in South Carolina: $88,989 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median diagnostic medical sonographer pay sits at $88,989/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2032. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $97,256 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($89,958), Charleston ($88,080), Greer ($86,569).
In South Carolina, the projected average median salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in 2026 is $88,989, which is 12.2% lower than the national median of $101,352. Salary variations exist across different cities, with North Charleston offering the highest average at $94,393, while Clemson provides the lowest at $81,634. This gap of $12,759 can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local healthcare demands, and the concentration of medical facilities in urban areas. The total number of employed diagnostic medical sonographers in South Carolina is projected to be 1,275, and the job market shows promise with a growth rate of 4.93%, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. The state requires specific licensure for sonographers, which includes obtaining certification from an accredited organization, and maintains scope of practice laws that outline the procedures and responsibilities of sonographers. Cities like Charleston at $92,422, Greer at $90,837, Anderson at $90,745, and Florence at $90,135 further illustrate the range of opportunities available across the state. Overall, those entering the field in South Carolina can expect a growing job market and varying salaries based on location and local healthcare dynamics.
South Carolina Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $42,318 (lowest entry-level) to $126,006 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina diagnostic medical sonographers earn 12.2% less than the national median ($-12,363/year difference).
South Carolina Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Distribution (2026)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salaries in South Carolina range from $73,062 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $107,453 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $88,989. The South Carolina median is $12,363 below the US national median of $101,352. The average hourly rate is $42.79/hr. Approximately 1,275 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,966
2025 BLS Actual
$84,808
2026 Current Est.
$88,989
2019–2027 Growth
+33.5%
Salary Trajectory for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.93% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,966 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,866 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,856 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,982 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,758 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,594 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,808 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,989 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,376 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median diagnostic medical sonographer salary grew 21.2% from $69,966 (2019) to $84,808 (2025). At a 4.93% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,376 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,410 (33.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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 Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for diagnostic medical sonographers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | $90,135 | 86.774 | $103,873 |
| North Charleston | $94,393 | 91.5 | $103,162 |
| Greer | $90,837 | 91.5 | $99,275 |
| Anderson | $90,745 | 91.5 | $99,175 |
| Mount Pleasant | $89,950 | 91.5 | $98,306 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $73,062 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $88,989 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $107,453 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $94,393 |
| 2 | Charleston | $92,422 |
| 3 | Greer | $90,837 |
| 4 | Anderson | $90,745 |
| 5 | Florence | $90,135 |
| 6 | Mount Pleasant | $89,950 |
| 7 | Greenville | $88,697 |
| 8 | Columbia | $88,603 |
| 9 | Rock Hill | $88,293 |
| 10 | Hilton Head Island | $88,058 |
| 11 | Aiken | $87,906 |
| 12 | Hanahan | $87,782 |
| 13 | Mauldin | $87,267 |
| 14 | Myrtle Beach | $87,123 |
| 15 | Summerville | $86,798 |
| 16 | Spartanburg | $86,462 |
| 17 | Conway | $85,517 |
| 18 | Simpsonville | $85,368 |
| 19 | Fort Mill | $85,328 |
| 20 | Goose Creek | $85,128 |
| 21 | Sumter | $84,426 |
| 22 | Bluffton | $84,356 |
| 23 | Lexington | $83,734 |
| 24 | Easley | $82,241 |
| 25 | Tega Cay | $81,788 |
| 26 | Clemson | $81,634 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore diagnostic medical sonographer hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new diagnostic medical sonographers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced diagnostic medical sonographers.
Explore More Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for diagnostic medical sonographers in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina diagnostic medical sonographer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer salary in South Carolina?
How many diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for diagnostic medical sonographers?
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
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 diagnostic medical sonographer compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more diagnostic medical sonographerscontribute 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 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