Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in South Carolina 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Registered Nurse Salary in South Carolina (2026): City-by-City Pay Data
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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