How Much Does a Sonographer Make in South Carolina in 2026?

A typical Sonographer in South Carolina earns about $40.04 per hour, which comes to $83,290 per year, per the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that breaks down to roughly $6,941 a month and $1,602 a week. These figures represent typical pay across the state, covering sonographers working in hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic imaging centers.

South Carolina pay runs about 14% below the national hourly figure of $46.44, according to the same May 2025 data. That gap places the state 38th out of 51 states and territories ranked for Sonographer pay. Roughly 1,340 Sonographers work across South Carolina, compared with 90,160 nationwide. Lower pay in South Carolina tends to track a lower cost of living found in many parts of the state.

Entry-level positions in South Carolina typically offer around $33.43 an hour ($69,530 a year), according to the May 2025 wage data. Pay tends to move toward the statewide typical figure of $40.04 an hour within the first few years on the job. New sonographers often start in general hospital settings before moving into more specialized imaging roles. Experience, certification, and city all play a part in how quickly pay increases.

Experienced Sonographers in South Carolina often earn upwards of $46.31 an hour ($96,320 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $49.30 an hour (over $102,540 a year). That is a spread of $33,010 between entry-level and top-tier pay. The gap tends to reflect differences in work setting, years of experience, and which city a sonographer works in.

South Carolina Sonographer pay has climbed from $59,630 in 2015 to $83,290 in 2025, a gain of $23,660, or 40%, over the decade, according to the same wage data. That marks steady, consistent growth year over year rather than a single jump. Each year in the trend shows pay moving higher, with the sharpest increases coming after 2020.

Nationally, Sonographer pay rose about 40% over the same ten years, matching South Carolina's rate of increase. Pay for the profession has moved up steadily in both the state and the country as a whole. That pattern does not guarantee future increases, but it shows a consistent history of rising pay for someone starting a Sonographer career in South Carolina now.

Sonographer pay runs highest in Gastonia, where the metro-area figure reaches $98,650 a year ($47.43 an hour), about 18% above the statewide figure. Charleston follows at $88,080 a year, and Florence pays $85,900 a year. Each city figure reflects pay across that city's full metro area rather than just the city center.

Richmond County pays the least among South Carolina's metro areas, at $80,340 a year ($38.62 an hour), putting the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying areas at $18,310. Gastonia also has the largest Sonographer workforce among the state's metro areas, with 730 jobs. Higher pay in cities like Gastonia and Charleston often comes with a higher cost of living, so the practical gap can be smaller than the raw numbers suggest.

South Carolina's Sonographer pay compares closely with its neighbors. North Carolina pays somewhat more, at $86,010 a year, about 3% above South Carolina's figure. Georgia pays almost the same, at $83,250 a year, essentially matching the South Carolina figure. A South Carolina Sonographer looking across either border would find pay within a few thousand dollars of home. Licensure or registry credentials earned in South Carolina can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary by state.

South Carolina Sonographers typically earn $83,290 a year ($40.04 an hour) as of May 2025, up 40% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience level, from entry-level figures near $69,530 a year to over $102,540 a year for the top 10% of earners. Readers considering this career in South Carolina can check the state licensing or registry page for requirements, and city pages for local pay figures, before deciding where to work.