The first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation, South Carolina is a state thriving with southern charm. Today, it is covered with beautiful scenery that lends itself to its large agricultural industry. The Commonwealth Fund has ranked the state 33rd in terms of overall health care. Health care professionals will find the most opportunities in Charleston and Columbia – the state’s biggest cities. There were 830 total diagnostic medical sonographers employed in the state as of 2013. This number is expected reach 1,020 total ultrasound technicians employed by 2020.
The median annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers in South Carolina was $56,800 in 2013. Employment is expected to grow at a rate almost as fast as the national growth, with a 41% spurt occurring between 2010 and 2020.
Certification Requirements in South Carolina
Greenville Technical College and Horry-Georgetown Technical College – are the two only institutions in the state to offer a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Certification is optional for ultrasound technicians hoping to find employment in South Carolina, but many have higher chances of employment with certification, so it is often encouraged. The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, or ARDMS, allows aspiring technicians to gain licensure.
Ultrasound Technician Salary in South Carolina
The median annual salary for ultrasound technicians employed in South Carolina was $56,800 in 2013 compared to the national median of $66,400. Technicians in South Carolina who earned an hourly wage brought home a median wage of $27.33 per hour. Those who earned into the top 10% of technicians averaged $76,000 while those in the bottom 10% earned $31,700 per year.
The South Carolina Employment Security Commission anticipates 41% growth between 2010 and 2020. This will increase the total number of ultrasound technicians employed in South Carolina to 1,020 by 2020. Due to growth and net replacement analysts predict 40 annual job openings.
South Carolina Diagnostic Medical Sonographers Salary by Local Area:
| Local Area | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (all) | $27.33 | $56,800 |
| Anderson, SC | $30.29 | $63,000 |
| Charleston – North Charleston – Summerville, SC | $29.07 | $60,500 |
| Columbia, SC | $26.89 | $55,900 |
| Florence, SC | $23.47 | $48,800 |
| Greenville – Mauldin – Easley, SC | $27.31 | $56,800 |
| Myrtle Beach – North Myrtle Beach – Conway, SC | $23.88 | $49,700 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $32.01 | $66,600 |
Source: South Carolina Labor Market Information (2013)
Recommended Schools in South Carolina
More Ultrasound Schools in South Carolina
Other diagnostic medical sonography schools in South Carolina include:
| School Name | School Address |
|---|---|
| Greenville Technical College | 738 S Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville, South Carolina 29607 |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | 2050 Highway 501 East, Conway, South Carolina 29526 |