Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs in Charleston, SC
The median diagnostic medical sonographer pay in the Charleston area is $40.05 per hour ($83,300 a year), with the typical range running from $39.72 to $43.34. That ranks 123rd of 267 U.S. metro areas for diagnostic medical sonographer pay, and 195th of 248 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 6 hospitals in Charleston. The free report below lists employers near Charleston and what they pay.
- $40.05median pay per hour, Charleston
- $40–$43typical range per hour
- 200employed in the metro area
- 101cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay in Charleston, SC
The metro median is 3% above the South Carolina statewide median of $38.70 per hour. Nationally the median is $42.95 per hour. BLS counts about 200 diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the Charleston-North Charleston metro area, 0.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.94).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $37.53 | $78,060 | 13% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $39.72 | $82,620 | 8% below U.S. median |
| Median | $40.05 | $83,300 | 7% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $43.34 | $90,150 | 1% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $45.70 | $95,060 | 6% above U.S. median |
How Charleston ranks
- 123rd of 267 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 195th of 248 after adjusting for local prices
- 1st of 6 South Carolina metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SOC 29-2032), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Charleston
- Overall prices in Charleston-North Charleston run 1% above the U.S. average (index 101.0, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 20% above the U.S. average (index 119.8).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $40.05 median hour buys what $39.67 buys at the national price level, 8% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Charleston Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay report
Named employers near Charleston, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Charleston paycheck
- Per year: $72,090
- Per month: $6,008
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Charleston-North Charleston metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Charleston
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $246 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $92 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $2,366 |
| 13-week assignment | $30,758 |
Travel diagnostic medical sonographer assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in Charleston
CMS lists 6 hospitals in Charleston, 2 of the 5 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of diagnostic medical sonographers.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Va Medical Center Charleston, SC | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Roper Hospital Charleston, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Bon Secours-St Francis Xavier Hospital Charleston, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Trident Medical Center Charleston, SC | Acute care | For-profit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Musc Medical Center Charleston, SC | Acute care | Government and federal | 2 of 5 | Yes |
| Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health Charleston, SC | Psychiatric | For-profit | Not rated | No |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant, SC | 6 mi | $40.05/hr | 95,604 |
| North Charleston, SC | 8 mi | $40.05/hr | 126,005 |
| Savannah, GA | 91 mi | $37.91/hr | 148,808 |
| Columbia, SC | 100 mi | $39.17/hr | 144,788 |
| Augusta, GA | 127 mi | $36.13/hr | 201,737 |
| Wilmington, NC | 153 mi | $38.68/hr | 125,284 |
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs in South Carolina · Diagnostic Medical Sonographer jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in South Carolina
ARDMS or equivalent credential (RDMS, RDCS, RVT). Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what South Carolina requires for your role with the South Carolina licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
South Carolina taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Charleston
Charleston city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do diagnostic medical sonographers make in Charleston, SC?
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the Charleston-North Charleston metro area have a median pay of $40.05 per hour, about $83,300 a year. The middle half earn between $39.72 and $43.34 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Charleston a good place for diagnostic medical sonographers once cost of living is counted?
Charleston-North Charleston ranks 195th of 248 metro areas for diagnostic medical sonographer pay after adjusting for local prices, and 123rd of 267 before adjusting. Overall prices run 1% above the U.S. average.
Where do diagnostic medical sonographers work in Charleston?
CMS lists 6 hospitals in Charleston, led by Charleston Va Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a South Carolina license to work in Charleston as a diagnostic medical sonographer?
ARDMS or equivalent credential (RDMS, RDCS, RVT). Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what South Carolina requires for your role with the South Carolina licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Charleston?
The federal per diem benchmark in Charleston is $246 a night for lodging and $92 a day for meals and incidentals, about $2,366 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place diagnostic medical sonographers in Charleston?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Charleston and across South Carolina. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Charleston.
What do employers near Charleston pay diagnostic medical sonographers? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
35+ Diagnostic Medical Sonographer roles in South Carolina, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Sonographer pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your South Carolina list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Lexington Health, Inc.West Columbia, SC · 1 wage offer$34.92/ hr$35–$35
- Seattle Children'sSeattle, WA · 5 postings$73.71/ hr$56–$91
- MarinHealthGreenbrae, CA · 3 postings$71.30/ hr$57–$99
- CommonSpirit HealthOXNARD, CA · 5 postings$69.06/ hr$58–$83
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your South Carolina list
2What they are offering now
285 Sonographer postings with published pay in the US, 219 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Sonographer roles
Open Sonographer roles near Charleston, SC, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.