Ultrasound Tech Pay

Charleston vs Summerville: Ultrasound Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare ultrasound technologist salaries between Charleston, SC and Summerville, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, SC
$92,422
$44.44/hr
Summerville, SC
$86,798
$41.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCSummerville, SC
Median Salary$92,422$86,798
Hourly Rate$44.44$41.73
Entry Level (P10)$81,006$63,206
25th Percentile$87,396$73,322
75th Percentile$113,555$98,618
Top Earner (P90)$113,555$119,831
Total Employed21012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($92,422) and Summerville ($86,798) ultrasound technologist salaries.CharlestonSummervilleMedian Salary$92,422$86,798Entry Level (P10)$81,006$63,206Top Earner (P90)$113,555$119,831US Median $101,352

Verdict

Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for ultrasound technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Summerville.

The salary gap between Charleston and Summerville is $5,624 (6.48%). Charleston's median is -8.81% compared to the US national median of $101,352.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $32,549,Summerville spans $56,625. Summerville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ultrasound technologists.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$81,006
P25$87,396
Median$92,422
P75$113,555
P90 (Top)$113,555
Summerville
P10 (Entry)$63,206
P25$73,322
Median$86,798
P75$98,618
P90 (Top)$119,831

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Summerville ($94,861 effective) pays 3.63% more than Charleston ($91,541 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $92,422
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $91,541
Summerville
Nominal: $86,798
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $94,861

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($92,422/year)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Summerville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($119,831)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,861)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ultrasound technologist salaries in Charleston grew 19.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.8% growth in Summerville over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+19.5%

$73,710 (2019) → $88,080 (2025)

Summerville, SC

+24.8%

$66,296 (2024) → $82,720 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ultrasound technologists more: Charleston or Summerville?

Charleston has a higher median ultrasound technologist salary at $92,422/year, compared to Summerville at $86,798/year — a difference of $5,624 (6.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Summerville?

Charleston ultrasound technologists earn $44.44/hr while Summerville hygienists earn $41.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Summerville as a ultrasound technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Summerville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $91,541, Summerville = $94,861), job availability (210 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ultrasound technologists earn in Charleston vs Summerville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ultrasound technologists earn $81,006 in Charleston and $63,206 in Summerville. The Charleston area offers higher starting salaries.
RP

Written by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT

Career Analyst

Ravi has 10 years of experience as an ultrasound technologist. He specializes in abdominal and pelvic imaging. He works in a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, RDMS, RTData verified by James Kim, RDCS, RVT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.93% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Ravi Patel, RDMS, RVT, a licensed ultrasound technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov