Healthcare Resource
Registered Nurse Salary in South Carolina 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
In brief
RN salary data for South Carolina in 2026: average $64K, Charleston vs Columbia breakdown, MUSC/Prisma pay rates, top employers, highest-paying specialties.
In this article
The average registered nurse salary in South Carolina in 2026 is $64,100/year ($30.82/hour). Charleston is the premium market driven by MUSC's academic system; Columbia and Greenville-Spartanburg are the secondary markets.
RN Salary by City in South Carolina
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $70,200 | MUSC, academic premium; transplant, cancer, trauma specialties top pay |
| Greenville / Spartanburg | $65,000 | Prisma Health Upstate, Bon Secours, Upstate SC market |
| Columbia | $63,500 | Prisma Health Midlands, Lexington Medical, Palmetto Health |
| Myrtle Beach / Grand Strand | $63,000 | Tidelands Health, growing coastal retiree market |
| Hilton Head / Beaufort | $65,000 | Coastal resort market; upscale demographics drive demand |
Top South Carolina Healthcare Employers for RNs
- MUSC Health (Charleston), academic premium; highest paying employer in SC for specialty RNs; Magnet-designated
- Prisma Health (Greenville / Columbia), largest SC health system; consistent statewide demand
- Tidelands Health (Myrtle Beach), growing coastal market; competitive total comp for coastal SC
- AnMed Health (Anderson), regional Upstate SC with relocation incentives
Compact License Status
South Carolina is an NLC compact state. RNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in SC without a separate endorsement.
South Carolina RN Job Market Outlook
Charleston is one of the Southeast's most desirable nursing markets, strong pay, coastal lifestyle, MUSC academic opportunities. Travel RN rates in Charleston run $1,700-$2,200/week. Grand Strand/Myrtle Beach has year-round demand driven by retiree population growth. Rural SC (Pee Dee region) has significant shortages with incentive packages.
Related: RN Salary North Carolina 2026, RN Salary Georgia 2026, South Carolina RN License Guide.
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