Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in Columbia, SC
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $84,440 a year ($40.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,220 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $96,590. Pay here is 1% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $83,290. There are 0.82 diagnostic medical sonographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $81,500, close to the median.
Pay range for diagnostic medical sonographers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,530 | $33.43 |
| 25th percentile | $74,210 | $35.68 |
| Median | $84,440 | $40.60 |
| 75th percentile | $89,390 | $42.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,220 | $46.74 |
| Average (mean) | $81,500 | $39.18 |
Half of diagnostic medical sonographers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,036.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,518.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,247.69 |
| Weekly | $1,623.85 |
| Hourly | $40.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,650 | 730 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $88,080 | 210 |
| Florence, SC | $85,900 | 80 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $84,530 | 320 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $83,030 | 100 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $82,400 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $80,340 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for diagnostic medical sonographers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $128,530 |
| Hawaii | $124,430 |
| Washington | $121,340 |
| Oregon | $120,220 |
| District of Columbia | $112,020 |
| Colorado | $108,410 |
| Massachusetts | $107,480 |
| Alaska | $105,670 |
| Vermont | $104,100 |
| New York | $103,920 |
See Diagnostic Medical Sonographer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Paramedic | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Surgical Technologist | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Dietetic Technician | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $65,590 | $31.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a diagnostic medical sonographer make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $84,440 a year, or $40.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid diagnostic medical sonographers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of diagnostic medical sonographers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $97,220 a year. The top 25% earn $89,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for diagnostic medical sonographers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,530 a year, and a quarter of diagnostic medical sonographers earn $74,210 or less.
How many diagnostic medical sonographers work in Columbia, SC?
About 320 diagnostic medical sonographers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.