Radiologist Pay

Charleston vs Summerville: Radiologist Salary (2026)

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

Charleston, SC
$470,254
$226.09/hr
Summerville, SC
$446,181
$214.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCSummerville, SC
Median Salary$470,254$446,181
Hourly Rate$226.09$214.52
Entry Level (P10)$272,747$258,785
25th Percentile$338,583$321,250
75th Percentile$575,013$549,453
Top Earner (P90)$680,642$648,555
Total Employed2512
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($470,254) and Summerville ($446,181) radiologist salaries.CharlestonSummervilleMedian Salary$470,254$446,181Entry Level (P10)$272,747$258,785Top Earner (P90)$680,642$648,555US Median $441,903

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charleston and Summerville is $24,073 (5.40%). Charleston's median is +6.42% compared to the US national median of $441,903.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $407,895,Summerville spans $389,770. Charleston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$272,747
P25$338,583
Median$470,254
P75$575,013
P90 (Top)$680,642
Summerville
P10 (Entry)$258,785
P25$321,250
Median$446,181
P75$549,453
P90 (Top)$648,555

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($513,939 effective) pays 5.40% more than Summerville ($487,630 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $470,254
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $513,939
Summerville
Nominal: $446,181
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $487,630

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 ($470,254/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($680,642)
  • Larger job market (25 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $513,939)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Summerville if…

  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologist salaries in Charleston grew 35.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.5% growth in Summerville over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+35.5%

$330,478 (2024) → $447,861 (2025)

Summerville, SC

+35.5%

$313,560 (2024) → $424,934 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologists more: Charleston or Summerville?

Charleston has a higher median radiologist salary at $470,254/year, compared to Summerville at $446,181/year — a difference of $24,073 (5.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Summerville?

Charleston radiologists earn $226.09/hr while Summerville hygienists earn $214.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Summerville as a radiologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Summerville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $513,939, Summerville = $487,630), job availability (25 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologists earn in Charleston vs Summerville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologists earn $272,747 in Charleston and $258,785 in Summerville. The Charleston area offers higher starting salaries.
MC

Written by Dr. Maria Chen, MD

Career Analyst

Dr. Chen has 10 years of experience in diagnostic radiology. She specializes in imaging techniques for oncology. She works at a regional medical center.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Rajesh Patel, MDData verified by Dr. Lisa Gonzalez, MD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.00% 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 Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed radiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov