RN Salary in South Carolina: $82,360 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in South Carolina earn a median of $82,360 per year — $39.60 an hour — $15,190 below the national median of $97,550, ranking #39 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of South Carolina RNs earn between $66,860 and $106,520. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
South Carolina RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of South Carolina RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare South Carolina With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put South Carolina side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | South Carolina | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $82,360 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $39.60/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $66,860 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $97,230 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $106,520 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 49,750 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
South Carolina has 71 board-approved nursing programs across 45 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in South Carolina?
RNs in South Carolina earn a median of $82,360 per year — $39.60 per hour — $15,190 below the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks South Carolina #39 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in South Carolina?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in South Carolina, the 10th percentile is $66,860 and the 25th percentile is $77,320. Most RNs move toward the $82,360 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in South Carolina earn?
The top 10% of RNs in South Carolina earn above $106,520 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in South Carolina?
49,750 registered nurses are employed in South Carolina per the BLS May 2025 estimates.