RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Registered Nurses salary: California vs South Carolina

Occupation

Registered Nurses in California earn a median of $140,270. In South Carolina, $82,360. After cost-of-living, the gap is 44.2% — not 70.3%.

Nominal pay gap
+70.3%
California vs South Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+44.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Registered Nurses

Median
$140,270
p25
$122,440
p75
$173,170
p10
$101,260
p90
$213,320
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-86%
See full breakdown for California

South Carolina

Registered Nurses

Median
$82,360
p25
$77,320
p75
$97,230
p10
$66,860
p90
$106,520
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
93.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-33%
See full breakdown for South Carolina

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.