BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Registered Nurses in South Carolina

$87,670 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$42.15 per hour

▼ 13.6% below U.S. average38th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$87,670per year
Median$82,360per year
Hourly$42.15per hour
10th – 90th percentile$66,860 – $106,520per year

Registered Nurses Pay Range in South Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$66,860
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$77,320
  • 50th Percentile — Median$82,360
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$97,230
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$106,520

Half of Registered Nurses in South Carolina earn more than $82,360. The top 10% make $106,520 or more, while entry-level workers start around $66,860.

Registered Nurses in South Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • South Carolina ranks 38th of 51 states for Registered Nurses pay, at $87,670 per year (13.6% below the U.S. average of $101,420).
  • 49,750 people work as Registered Nurses in South Carolina — 1.5% of all U.S. Registered Nurses jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.99: Registered Nurses jobs are less concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $66,860; the top 10% earn over $106,520.
  • Hourly equivalent: $42.15 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $150,280.
  • Among healthcare jobs in South Carolina, General Internal Medicine Physicians pays the most ($315,380).

Registered Nurses Job Market in South Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Registered Nurses here earn $87,670 on average, placing the state 38th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $87,670 is roughly equivalent to $99,625 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Indiana ($89,150), Wyoming ($88,600), Nebraska ($88,330) are the closest alternatives for Registered Nurses weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Registered Nurses salary in South Carolina?

The average Registered Nurses salary in South Carolina is $87,670 per year (median $82,360), which is 13.6% below the national average of $101,420.

How does South Carolina rank for Registered Nurses pay?

South Carolina ranks 38th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($150,280/yr).

How much do entry-level Registered Nurses make in South Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Registered Nurses in South Carolina earn about $66,860 per year and the 25th percentile is $77,320.

How much do Registered Nurses make per hour in South Carolina?

About $42.15 per hour, based on the $87,670 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Registered Nurses work in South Carolina?

BLS counts 49,750 Registered Nurses jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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